In the dark, deep, and lightless cavern, the remains of plants were everywhere. A giant mushroom person was pinned to the rock wall by more than a dozen golden spears, its face etched with fear.
This was the monster Wen Wen had seen earlier. It was now lifeless, having never understood why the man who could only flee moments ago had suddenly erupted with unstoppable power, killing it with ease.
Having just completed a slaughter, Wen Wen was squatting beside a plant's root, carefully using a dagger to excavate a venom sac, then using a syringe to draw out the venom and store it in several small glass bottles.
After the giant hybrid monster's death, the only thing that retained significant activity was the venom within its body.
This meant that if this venom spread, even if the source was killed, infected creatures would not return to normal and would continue to spread this deadly venom.
"I wonder if this venom can infect other creatures besides mine ghosts, like humans... If so, it would be quite troublesome."
After extracting the venom, Wen Wen switched to the oxygen-absorbing sheep demon ability, evacuated all the oxygen from the vicinity, and sprayed it into the vast cave. He then set the cave ablaze, burning everything within to ashes.
These plant-type monsters, even if uprooted, had the possibility of re-rooting if left unattended. Wen Wen did not want to leave any hidden dangers, so he burned them all.
The previous battle between Wen Wen and the hybrid plant monster, along with the intense burning fire, had attracted the attention of the mine ghosts. They gathered before the cave, looking curiously inside.
"Tsk tsk, they weren't scared away..."
Wen Wen thought for a moment, then activated his Black Body state, making the black energy outside his body mimic a black liquid, resembling ordinary mine ghosts by ninety percent. He then slowly walked out of the cave.
When the mine ghosts saw Wen Wen, who looked similar to them, emerging from inside, they fell silent. Then, one mine ghost entered the cave, saw the terrifying monster inside was dead, and scurried out, cheering to the other mine ghosts in their peculiar language.
Subsequently, all the mine ghosts began to jump around Wen Wen. Although Wen Wen did not understand what they were saying, he could feel their joy.
After their cheers, these mine ghosts knelt before Wen Wen, seemingly praying in a strange language.
Seeing their reaction, Wen Wen chuckled. These fellows were too simple-minded. With a little disguise, they truly no longer suspected Wen Wen's identity and even seemed to regard him as something great.
But upon reflection, Wen Wen found it quite reasonable. If they were very intelligent, why would they have intercepted the monsters created by Dr. Feng with their lives? Fleeing would have been the optimal solution for their race.
Then, a mischievous smile appeared on Wen Wen's lips. He planned to perform a comical dance and then reveal his true form, shattering their illusions.
As for why he wanted to do this? Of course, it was for fun. Since he had helped them resolve the crisis of their extinction, it wouldn't be too much to have some fun at their expense, would it?
"Heh heh, I'm looking forward to your expressions... Wait, what is that?"
Wen Wen's expression suddenly turned serious because he could feel an unusual power surrounding him and paying homage to him!
This power was not strong; to Wen Wen at his current stage, it could even be ignored. However, the nature of this power was very strange. He had only sensed it during large-scale prayers by the followers of the Creation Church!
This was... the power generated by faith!
"No need to proselytize, no need to claim divinity, just pure worship can generate the power of faith... Because they now worship me intensely, this power is drifting around me?"
"That's right. The Heavenly Stone itself wasn't very powerful, but it could gain magical power through hundreds of years of faith from the villagers... Perhaps it doesn't have to be faith; extreme fear might also work."
Wen Wen attempted to utilize this power, and the power was very cooperative. However, after trying for a while, Wen Wen gave up.
At his current stage, he was unable to utilize this power. He could only observe it but not convert it for his use. However, if his strength reached the Cataclysmic level, he should be able to utilize this power with ease.
"No wonder some Cataclysmic level powerhouses like to call themselves gods or immortals. It's not necessarily to satisfy some desire, but to be able to utilize this power of faith!"
"After absorbing these powers, one can even communicate with believers through this power, or even bestow certain powers..."
Upon discovering the power of faith, Wen Wen no longer intended to play pranks. He wanted to retain the mine ghosts' faith and analyze the essence of this power when his strength was sufficient.
Since he intended to retain their faith, he couldn't leave in a bland manner. He needed to create a departure that was full of hype.
Wen Wen snapped his fingers, and a black stone doorway appeared out of thin air. This was a special effect skin for entering the containment facility. The doorway was carved with Wen Wen's current disguised appearance, with a group of mine ghosts kneeling below...
Then Wen Wen stepped through the doorway and disappeared into the air. The mine ghosts remained kneeling on the ground, refusing to look up for a long time.
The last, strongest mine ghost stood up, walked to a flat wall, and began to carve the scene it had just witnessed. It wanted to pass this scene down, to let more mine ghosts know that their race also had a great existence...
...
"After seeing these 'miracles,' their faith should not dissipate in a short period. However, one can never be sure... Who knows if these simple-minded fellows will see other powerful beings and worship them."
"Speaking of which, I forgot to return the microphone... Since I didn't have fun with them, I'll consider this item my reward for saving them."
Through his connection with Tao Qingqing, Wen Wen left the containment facility. She was currently investigating strange incidents in Tongling City, so Wen Wen did not disturb her. Instead, he immediately went to the Hunter Association in Tongling City, found the captain of the local demon hunter team, and handed over the harvested venom.
This venom would be sent to the nearest association research institution to Tongling City to find a way to neutralize the toxin. Wen Wen did not know if this would be effective, but it was better to be prepared.
Next, Wen Wen used the pendant on his ear to consolidate information with Zhu Qipei and Master Fengbei.
Zhu Qipei had gone to investigate a place and found nothing, having gone on a wild goose chase. Master Fengbei had gone to a place with plant monsters similar to those Wen Wen had seen.
This cast a shadow over Wen Wen's heart. If it were only one instance, it would be fine, but since Master Fengbei had also encountered similar things, it was enough to show that Dr. Feng intended to do something in Tongling City.
However, whatever his objective, Wen Wen would not allow him to achieve it. Tongling City was not like Yueyue City, a small town, but a large city with millions of people. The consequences of an incident occurring there would be unimaginable.