Chapter 30: The Mad Stones, Section 9

The Rockfolk are a truly peculiar race. They have no sense of pain, and their bodies are made of stone. Although they have male and female sexes, reproduction does not occur through mating but through a special fusion of essences. Aside from negative energy crystals, they seem to have no other preferences. Such a way of life means they possess no desires at all.

Logically, such a race should be one that highly values peace and avoids conflict. Yet this is not the case. Throughout the history of the Rockfolk, wars have never been rare. Besides external invaders, the Rockfolk themselves are also extremely warlike. Every adult male among them is a fierce warrior, wielding an unbreakable stone axe from a young age. Their massive frames seem capable of holding up the heavens and earth, and their bloodthirsty gazes intimidate even the bravest creatures. This situation has led to countless small tribes forming within the Rockfolk, constantly at war with one another. The great war that nearly wiped them out countless years ago was the largest in their history.

Life can die, but its essence does not vanish—it simply exists in another form in this world. Thus, after so many wars, a new type of energy emerges on the planet inhabited by the Rockfolk. Unlike negative energy, this energy is full of vitality and vigor.

It is the life essence of all Rockfolk warriors after their deaths. And this life essence is exactly what the Stone of Light and Darkness requires.

After listening quietly to the Rockfolk elder’s long-winded explanation, Hei Fa’s heart was filled with turmoil. Without a doubt, he understood what the elder meant. But if that was the case, then the Stone of Light and Darkness must be incredibly miraculous! Absorbing negative energy and gathering life essence from the deaths of Rockfolk—how could anyone believe such things coming from a stone? And if what the elder said was true, wouldn’t the Stone of Light and Darkness simply act as a breeder, with all Rockfolk being its livestock?

At the thought of this, Hei Fa felt a shiver run down his spine. A stone could actually exhibit such intelligent behavior? It seemed like something that could only appear in fantasy novels. Although this world was a magic-guided civilization with legends of magic, no one had ever seen it with their own eyes. Hei Fa wasn’t going to believe it easily.

But was there any other explanation? Judging from the Rockfolk elder’s attitude, it seemed he wouldn’t stop him even if he took the Stone of Light and Darkness now.

In confusion, Black Hair asked without realizing it. Gray Soil immediately translated it.
“I don’t mind… I really don’t mind…” Elder Rockstone bent over, seemingly in pain—yet also pleasure.
“But before you take that Stone of Light and Dark, can you fulfill one small request of mine?”
“What request?”
“Find a new source of energy for our Rockstone clan. Without the Stone of Light and Dark, we have no negative energy. Yet we must survive—even if it means fighting every day and dying the next moment. Now we must live on. I don’t know why we live. But I have no choice.” Elder Rockstone spoke in a desolate tone. Yet for some reason, his words stirred a strange emotion in Black Hair’s heart.
Let’s call this emotion pity, for now…
Black Hair understood the pain of this Elder Rockstone. As a leader of a race, he had to bear the burden of his entire people’s survival. But the Rockstone people’s nature left him disheartened. Their habit of constant fighting and bloodthirst meant that no Rockstone warrior lived long. And their lack of any other needs beyond negative energy made their future bleak.
It all came down to one reason.
No desires.
Without desires, there was no hope. Living in ignorance of life and death, fighting endlessly without purpose—such a race was no different from machines. At that moment, Black Hair understood even better why Elder Rockstone wanted him to take the Stone of Light and Dark.
Perhaps even if he couldn’t fulfill its condition, it wouldn’t refuse. From a certain perspective, such a race had already lost its meaning of existence.
But Black Hair was helpless. After all, he was just a human, not a god. A race devoid of desires was beyond his ability to change, even if he could provide an unlimited supply of negative energy crystals…
Negative energy crystals?
Black Hair’s eyes suddenly lit up.
“Have you studied the effects of negative energy on you?”
“We have,” Elder Rockstone replied weakly. “It’s the culprit behind our race’s warlike nature. But without this energy, our people won’t be able to maintain their physical form and will die as well.”
“Is there anything that can replace it? Like elemental energy, nuclear energy, or antimatter?” Black Hair pressed repeatedly. But he saw confusion on Elder Rockstone’s face. Clearly, they didn’t even know about the existence of such energies.
In that case… hope arose in Black Hair’s heart.

“How about this? I’ll take the Stone of Light and Dark. But in three months, a fleet of ships will arrive here. I’ll bring various types of energy sources for you to try out. You can choose one that suits your people as compensation from me. What do you think?” Unintentionally, Black Hair adopted a negotiating tone.

But for Elder Rock, this negotiation was unacceptable. Various types of energy? Oh, were its ears still functioning properly? Throughout its long life, how had it not known there were so many kinds of energy? It seemed it only knew about negative energy and life essence.

But how could it trust the other party’s promises?

In the cockpit of the Killing Emperor, Ashen Soil looked worried. It certainly saw the problems in Black Hair’s words. After all, they were intruders—more like bandits, to be precise. How could they gain the other party’s trust? It was a serious problem.

But… did Black Hair even need their trust?

He had already understood Elder Rock’s intentions. To put it plainly, the elder was also trying a desperate measure. Years had worn away its sharpness. Without desires, this race was worse off than dead! Those seemingly mighty Rock Warriors were actually just walking corpses!

Under such circumstances, did he, Black Hair, still need the trust of the Rock race? Did he?

“Alright. I agree to these terms. But first, you must leave your race’s contact information with me, stranger,” said Elder Rock, his voice bitter, reflecting the helplessness accumulated over years.

Seeing his reaction, Black Hair smiled bitterly.

By now, they hadn’t even exchanged basic introductions, yet they had reached a final agreement. Such communication was probably unprecedented.

The rest was much easier. Black Hair gave Elder Rock, Purple Rock, one of his communicators in exchange for ownership of the stone. As they left the castle, the numerous Rock Warriors parted to create a wide path for Black Hair and the others.

Such courtesy… made many Blood Wolf Pirates feel proud. Surrounded by these Rock Warriors, they felt a sense of superiority, as if they were their kings while the others were humble subjects…

“I hope you won’t forget the agreement between us. The future of the Black Hair clan, the Rock Clan, lies in your hands. We’ll deal with those invaders outside. But we don’t have much time. If you fail to arrive as promised in three months, this place…” The old Rock Clan member’s voice was filled with sorrow. Standing on the high steps of the castle, with his arms outstretched, he faced the entire Black City. “It will become ruins!”

“I will fulfill this agreement. It’s a promise,” Black Hair replied in a deep voice. With a wave of his right hand, the formidable Blood Wolf mechs soared into the sky. At the same time, right before the eyes of all the Rock Clan warriors, the empty sky suddenly rippled, revealing eleven mechs similar to those of Black Hair and the others. Weren’t they Blood Pupil and the rest?

“Amazing guys,” murmured Elder Ziyan, staring at the mechs that suddenly appeared in the sky. “Bold and meticulous. So calm in adversity, always prepared for contingencies. Perhaps, this time, our Rock Clan truly has a chance.”

“Elder Ziyan, should we still follow them? Maybe they’re working with those things in outer space. If the Light and Dark Stones end up in their hands, won’t that give them knowledge of our clan’s weaknesses?” A burly Rock Clan warrior suddenly bent down and asked in Elder Ziyan’s ear.

“No need,” Elder Ziyan’s face twitched slightly—perhaps a smile. “They can’t be working together; otherwise, there would be no need for them to hide their movements so much. But increase the attack intensity a bit. Otherwise, I’m afraid these new ‘friends’ won’t be able to escape.”

“Understood, Elder,” the burly warrior replied, standing up abruptly. Then, a deafening roar echoed over Black City. Along with this roar, the numerous Rock Clan warriors below the castle raised their giant stone axes in unison before soaring into the air, charging toward the liquid pipelines high above.

Soon, Viscount Jiri, the fleet commander of the Dark Hand Duke in outer space, was shocked to find that the previously suppressed Rock Clan warriors suddenly received massive reinforcements, increasing the pressure on his fleet. Caught off guard, his defenses were broken, costing him five entire Moor giant ships!

In such chaos, he certainly didn’t notice that more small fragments of rock flew past the bottom of his flagship before disappearing into the vast cosmos…