541 Nightmare Demons (2/2)

As Krune observed the beast recovering, he also noticed another problem.

'When I attack, I use Soul Power as well. I need to finish it quickly.'

Krune didn't hold back and immediately bombarded the Nightmare Demon Beast. Soon, he noticed a small Dark Core, which kept absorbing the surrounding energy.

'I see, destroying its body is useless, I need to get rid of the Core.'

”Purple Tribulation Line!”

Before the demon's body could reform again, the core was hit by Krune's attack, which pierced right through it. The core then crumbled as a surge of Soul Energy rushed into Krune's Wisp Core.

'Oh... There isn't too much Soul Energy, but it is at least enough to recover the Soul Energy I used to destroy it. Seems like the Nightmare Demons are quite a good source of Soul Energy.'

It was good that the other participants didn't hear Krune's words. Only he with his heaven-defying Soul Power could destroy a Nightmare Demon Beast this easily. Norzulun had made it very clear before the second phase started. Soul Power would directly influence your attack and defense. Krune has the most powerful Soul between all competitors, that's why it seemed okay for him.

But for the others... Well, they also had the power to get rid of the Nightmare Demon Beasts, but the reward in Soul Energy was far from enough to recover what they used. Of course, everyone was still learning how to fight the Nightmare Demons, so they also spent more time and energy to find about the Nightmare Demon's Core.

Krune didn't have much time to keep looking. It seems like the Nightmare Demon's death had attracted other Demons nearby. Krune soon found a Nightmare Demon Cultivator and two Nightmare Demon Beasts rushing in his direction with his Mental Energy.

'They seem to be connected to each other. Once I kill one, I must move away immediately.'

Krune could most likely kill those three, but he decided to not spend too long in a single place. Those Nightmare Demons definitely had the power of Peak Divine Path Realm cultivators and demon beasts. If too many of then gathered together, even Krune would be helpless against them.

”Tribulation Lightning Movement!”

*Zap!*

With a flash of purple lightning, Krune disappeared in the distance. The nearby Nightmare Demons noticed his presence and changed direction, but Krune was simply too fast. There was also a limit to how far they can sense the participants, so once Krune opened enough distance, they stopped the pursuit.

Without a target, those Nightmare Demon beasts spread in several directions. They had only one objective, find the Heavenly Competition participants and get rid of them.

The other participants don't have Krune's Mental Energy, so they only noticed more Nightmare Demon Beasts coming at them after they were already close. Some unlucky ones even got surrounded, which made things very difficult for them.

Some were able to escape; others had no other choice and gave up before dying. Some simply couldn't accept losing here and ended having their Souls destroyed.

Laka was one of those who got surrounded. Fortunately for him, he had Krune's Purple Flame Dragon Pearl, which vastly increased his strength. At first, he kept killing one Nightmare Demon after another. But even he understood that staying there would only lead to his death. With his sturdy Dragon Body and the Purple Flame Dragon Pearl, Laka broke through the encirclement and disappeared in the distance.

”Sigh... these things never stop coming. Well, at least now I know I need to destroy the Cores instead of their bodies. As long as I found lonely ones, I can recover as much Soul Power as I use to kill them and still get some extra. This Purple Flame Dragon Pearl Really helps.”

Laka then checked the tracking spiritual equipment and could tell that both Krune and Hanan were coming in his direction.

Hanan was a lot more cautious than Laka. He noticed that after killing the first Nightmare Demon, another two appeared a short moment after. Hanan quickly reached the conclusion that he can't stay put in the same place. That being said, Hanan immediately retreated without even looking behind.

'Hum... Laka is the closest one, and Krune is rushing in his direction too. I better go there, as well.'

Just like that, the second phase started.