A royal tomb is the final resting place for the souls of royalty.
For a great monarchical nation like the Kukan'yu Kingdom, the significance of the royal tomb was even more extraordinary.
To retrieve a burial artifact from such a place would be a thorny issue even for Ging, one of the world's five greatest Nen users.
However, to his surprise, Morrow had merely taken a trip to the royal palace and, not long after, returned with a Klein Bottle with such ease.
Ging was naturally astounded.
Faced with Ging's probing gaze, Morrow hadn't intended to explain.
But he understood Ging's personality. That extraordinary curiosity and thirst for knowledge were perhaps the very reasons for Ging's profound interest in the Dark Continent.
Therefore, only by giving Ging an answer could he move past this topic more quickly.
"I have some dealings with the current king of Kukan'yu. She proposed two conditions in exchange for the Klein Bottle, so you could call it a transaction."
Morrow explained simply.
Ging was quite surprised to hear this.
During his investigation into the Klein Bottle, he had learned a little about the change in the throne last year. He knew that Eve had launched the "Jade Destruction" plan to seize power, a move rarely seen even among the monarchs of history.
In that incident, everyone from the former king to all the heirs to the throne, the concubines in the harem, and even the empress's relatives were all slaughtered overnight.
It was hard to say whether the buildings within those deep crimson palace walls were stained by vermilion lacquer or congealed blood.
"That woman is not to be trifled with. You'd best be careful," Ging warned.
Only someone with his means could have uncovered scattered truths about the "Jade Destruction" plan during an investigation without anyone noticing.
This made him feel it was necessary to give Morrow a heads-up.
Morrow nodded.
Based on his few encounters with Eve, she seemed to know her limits.
In a sense, a tangible relationship of mutual interest existed between him and Eve.
If Eve wasn't foolish enough to try and claim his "Nen exorcism ability" as her private property, then they could still maintain a healthy relationship.
Ging didn't press for details about Eve's conditions. Once his curiosity was satisfied, his attention quickly shifted to the Klein Bottle.
The Klein Bottle was smaller than he had imagined, about the size of a small vase one might see anywhere.
But the Klein Bottle was pitch-black all over, and its structure defied intuition.
After extending to a certain curve, its neck did not narrow upwards but instead bent bizarrely downwards, ultimately connecting to a non-physical "entrance" at the bottom of the bottle, forming an endless topological loop.
Ging gently turned the Klein Bottle over, his eyes glowing with a torch-like aura.
With the aid of Gyo, he saw ancient Divine Script, etched like silver sand, along the edge of the deep, dark mouth of the bottle.
Compared to the Divine Script of later generations, which had been improved by many masters, this ancient Divine Script etched inside the Klein Bottle was clearly more obscure and complex.
Furthermore, the structure of the interconnected characters was exceedingly complicated, making them likely much more difficult to master and apply.
"This should be a conjured object, supplemented with ancient Divine Script to form a Nen tool. It should have vanished with the Nen user's death, but it was preserved by Post-Mortem Will. The proof is that after a thousand years, the bottle shows no trace of age."
Ging's eyes lit up, looking exceptionally excited.
Morrow nodded. "It is indeed a post-mortem object."
When he had taken the Klein Bottle from Eve, Tree Rings had prompted him with the option to absorb and convert it.
This was enough to prove that the Klein Bottle was a conjured object left behind after death.
But even without the prompt from Tree Rings, just as Ging had said, one could also reach this conclusion by observing the absence of "traces of age."
Of course.
The most direct method was to check for the Post‑Mortem Nen on the object.
A relatively weak Post-Mortem Nen aura could also be observed with Gyo.
But this method was not applicable to the Klein Bottle, which had already exhausted its energy. Not even a speck of Post-Mortem Nen lingered on its exterior.
The fact that Tree Rings still gave the prompt to absorb Post-Mortem Nen under these circumstances was probably the reason the Klein Bottle could remain intact even after losing its energy.
"According to Eve, all the Klein Bottles have lost their intended effects. The reason they still retain their form is likely one of the special properties of Post-Mortem Will."
Morrow's gaze fell upon the Klein Bottle in Ging's hand.
Hearing this, Ging said with some regret:
"I indeed can't feel any Nen energy. It seems it really has become a dead object. However, the existence of the Klein Bottle itself, as well as the arrangement of the ancient script inside, are of immense research value. Who knows, we might be able to replicate a new type of Klein Bottle with the same function."
Regretful as he was, Ging did not overlook the Klein Bottle's research value as a specimen.
"Mm," Morrow responded calmly.
Actually... he had concealed one thing.
That was the possibility of recharging the Klein Bottle using the Post-Mortem Nen energy within Tree Rings, thereby reactivating it.
This pertained to the secret of his Tree Rings ability, so he naturally couldn't reveal a thing.
In fact, the ancient script that flowed and appeared like silver sand on the bottle's inner wall was the very phenomenon produced when he had previously tried to inject a wisp of Post-Mortem Nen.
Making this ancient script appear had, in a way, given the Klein Bottle a value worthy of Ging's research.
At the very least, before formally using the Klein Bottle, he could leverage Ging's profound knowledge of Divine Script to try and analyze valuable information from this ancient script.
Once some progress was made, he could then try to activate the Klein Bottle's true function.
If the activation ultimately failed, he would just set off for the Dark Continent directly.
Morrow didn't have much time to wait.
Even if Ging could truly replicate a new type of Klein Bottle in the future, it would probably be a long time from now.
After successfully obtaining the Klein Bottle, Ging immediately found a quiet place and began to analyze the ancient script within it.
Morrow, on the other hand, still had to prepare for the upcoming trip to the Dark Continent, so he comfortably entrusted the entire research task to Ging.
Considering the risks of exploring the Dark Continent, Gel's professional ability is sorely needed.
In terms of team composition, the most urgent need at the moment was a professional Pharmacist Hunter like Gel.
Using some of the Evil Enclaves on the six continents as a reference, the deadliest threats were often not the towering exotic beasts, but the inconspicuous poisons. This was even more true for the Dark Continent with its harsher environment.
I wonder if Gel is interested...
Morrow pondered, planning to find an opportunity to personally sound her out.
Besides Gel, he also thought of Loupe Highland.
The Lost Hunter from the trio that had been defeated in the recent election.
His ability, "Call of the Lost," might be able to pinpoint the location of Nitro Rice on the Dark Continent.
But the problem was that Loupe would most likely be unwilling to set foot on that forbidden continent.
The measures Netero had taken back then had indeed cut off the continuation and spread of the adventurous spirit.
Beyond that, the immense risk itself was a practical factor that every Pro Hunter had to consider carefully.
Just like Knov... his "Hide and Seek" was one of the key abilities for exploring the Dark Continent, yet out of a deep-seated fear of that harsh environment, he himself had no intention of going.
Morrow just had to think about it for a moment to realize there were so many Nen abilities that could be of enormous help in exploring the Dark Continent.
Unfortunately, the people who possessed these Nen abilities had no intention of going to the Dark Continent themselves.
At a time like this, Morrow found himself thinking of the Post-Mortem Nen of Skill Hunter that he had "rejected" back then.
If he had a Nen ability like Skill Hunter that could "borrow" the abilities of others, everything would be much more convenient.
After leaving the task of researching the Klein Bottle to Ging, Morrow changed his route and headed for Swardani City.
Regardless of whether Gel and Loupe were willing, Morrow had to try and win them over.
With limited time, it was unrealistic to expect the exploration team to be perfect.
What Morrow could do was to perfect the team's composition as much as possible to increase their margin for error when exploring the Dark Continent.
On his way to Swardani City, however, Morrow received a call from Netero.
The former strongest Hunter, whose body and mind had been greatly depleted in the Chimera Ant subjugation campaign, had almost fully recovered in less than ten days under Linne's meticulous care.
The purpose of this call now was self-evident.
Just by looking at Netero's name displayed on his phone screen, Morrow could guess that the man had likely recovered, and he could feel his impatient eagerness.
This made him unconsciously think of Hisoka.
"Ho ho, I'm ready."
Upon answering the call, Netero's voice came from the phone.
Even from thousands of miles away, Morrow could detect a trace of irrepressible fighting spirit in his tone.
"Alright."
He stood against the wind on the Chimera's back and gave a brief response.
To fight Netero again.
This was the condition for giving up the King back then.
Before setting off for the Dark Continent, Morrow was indeed obligated to fulfill this promise, and he immediately changed his destination.
—--
Two days later.
Morrow arrived at the depths of the Evil Enclave where Linne lived in seclusion.
By the lakeside, the wooden house stood silently amidst the vastness, the traces from the previous battle with Beyond still clearly visible all around.
In front of the wooden house, Netero had been waiting for a long time.
He was dressed in his Heart T-shirt, his spirits high. His exposed arms and legs were no longer withered as before; he had clearly recovered extremely well.
As the Hunter Association's most senior Gourmet Hunter, Linne was truly extraordinary, managing to restore Netero to his previous state in such a short time.
But then again, Netero's impatient eagerness must have played a significant role in it as well.
Linne stood behind Netero, a hint of imperceptible worry in her eyes as she looked at his back.
Under the watchful eyes of the two old-timers, Morrow approached steadily.
Netero looked at him, a faint smile on his face, and asked, "It's been a long journey. Do you want to rest for a bit before we begin?"
"No need."
Morrow shook his head. "I can assure you that my current condition, while I wouldn't say it's my absolute best, is not far from it."
Actually, one level of my aura output is still with Meruem...
A difference of one level might not seem like much, but after breaking through level 100, each level of aura output could play a rather crucial role in actual combat.
"Good."
A sharp glint flashed in Netero's eyes.
The huge clearing that Morrow had previously plowed open with his Emission ability now served as a natural arena for their fight.
A gentle breeze blew from the lake, carrying the scent of overturned earth. A few newly sprouted shoots swayed gently on the ravaged ground.
As Morrow walked, he glanced down at the land he had devastated some time ago, which was now sprouting with greenery, and couldn't help but marvel at the tenacious life force hidden within this forest.
He deliberately avoided the young shoots and came to a stop in a clearing further away.
Netero, clad in his Heart T-shirt, came to stand directly in front of him.
"Netero."
Morrow gazed at the ready old man, no longer addressing him as Chairman, but by his name.
"Have you ever chased after someone?"
He asked suddenly, before the battle began.
Netero's eyes twitched slightly, and he chuckled. "Ho ho."
He thought back carefully for a moment, then finally shook his head gently at Morrow.
In his hundred-year pursuit of martial arts, he had always been the one being chased.
Morrow said no more, stating calmly, "Let's begin."
Ripples spread across the distant lake surface.
Netero instantly entered a combat state.
He had already found a way to deal with Morrow's teleportation ability.
By placing a restriction on the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva, he had enhanced the targeting effect of the "Zero Hand."
Originally, the Zero Hand was a move that gave the enemy no way to dodge, yet Morrow had managed to break it.
But now... Netero had given Zero Hand a "counter" mechanic that required a condition to be met before it could be triggered.
This adjustment would ensure that Zero Hand would reliably hit Morrow.
But what Netero didn't expect was... in this fight, Morrow had no intention of using Astral Step again.
On the flat ground.
The golden light of the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva appeared out of thin air.
Shining in response were countless stars flowing from all around Morrow.
They cascaded like the Milky Way, with red threads streaking between them.
A clash of top-tier offense and defense erupted at this moment.
The first to strike was still the Bodhisattva's palm strike, its speed too fast for the naked eye to see, aimed straight for Morrow's vitals.
The resolute will contained within this palm clearly demonstrated Netero's all-out commitment to this duel.
However, within the domain of "Starlight Convergence・Cosmic Choreography," Morrow moved as if he could predict the future, dodging with pinpoint accuracy.
He was in no hurry to counterattack, simply allowing Netero to unleash the full might of the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva.
But the continuous golden palm shadows, like a torrential downpour, always missed by a hair's breadth just as they were about to touch the corner of Morrow's clothes.
That minuscule difference was like a celestial chasm.
Within the endless sequence of palm strikes, Netero organized wave after wave of attacks that surged like a mighty river.
In an instant, the palm shadows of the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva interwove into an airtight net of certain death.
And yet, Morrow only ever dodged.
Even when the golden chains and Star Marks appeared one by one after their conditions were met, it did nothing to change the current situation.
Why only defend and not attack?
A flicker of doubt crossed Netero's mind, but the momentum of the Guanyin's palms did not slow in the slightest.
But in this clash of offense and defense, as swift as wind and thunder, his question was soon answered.
Morrow, who had been weaving along the edge of the offensive, threw a palm strike without any warning.
Leveraging the aura projection characteristic of Emission, a palm blast as condensed as a solid object suddenly took shape. Like a roaming dragon, it pierced through the sky full of golden palm shadows and went straight for Netero's side.
This is... 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva: Eighth Hand?!
Netero's pupils shrank. His mind, as steady as a boulder, couldn't help but ripple at this moment.
What shocked him was not that Morrow had replicated the form of the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva.
It was that this counterattack had precisely threaded through the one and only gap in his ninety-nine-palm assault, a gap that should never have been perceived.
Have you ever chased after someone?
At this moment, that sentence surfaced in Netero's mind.
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Bonus chapter @400 powerstones!