After much hesitation, Ethan Smith ultimately decided to wait a little longer.
Fifty meters—this was already the limit of his divine sense. If he could continue cultivating for a while longer,
then by the time his divine sense could perceive more areas, it would be much safer.
Otherwise, with the kinds of living beings appearing in the Purgatory Ninth Layer, Ethan truly didn't have the confidence to survive long enough to obtain Mount Sumeru's Qi.
After nearly three months of relentless cultivation, Ethan finally decided to give up.
By this point, the speed at which he practiced the Soul Nightmare Heart Skill had slowed considerably. The extreme pain made every trace of divine soul power he absorbed agonizingly unbearable.
*He couldn't even remember how many times he had passed out. Every time he did, Hicks would silently guard him.*
Hicks, in turn, ventured alone into the area to hunt wandering souls, returning each time battered and bruised, yet continuing to cultivate.