Xiao Chen and the other two watched from the corner without saying a word.

"In the end, we definitely won't reach an agreement," Jiang Li asserted. "With conflicting interests, how can we possibly work together?"

Sure enough, the argument dragged on until late afternoon without reaching a conclusion. Some people slammed their fists on the table and cursed, while others smashed their glasses and stormed off. In the end, they parted on bad terms, each making plans for the next day.

Before leaving, Qian Duoduo pulled Xiao Chen aside and said, "Brother Xiao, why don't you come with me tomorrow? I've brought a lot of good stuff, I guarantee you'll be safe!"

Xiao Chen smiled and waved his hand: "No, we'll explore the way ourselves."

Qian Duoduo didn't press the matter, waved his hand, and left with his entourage. Gui You and Zhao Wu left one after another, and the people in the hall gradually dispersed, leaving only the waiters cleaning up the mess.

The next morning, the open space outside the Endless Forest was already packed with people.

Flags of various colors fluttered in the wind: the black iron armor of the Southern Region, the brocade robes of the Central Region, the green wood pattern of the Eastern Region, the gray monk robes of the Western Region... The various forces were clearly divided and were making their final preparations.

Most notably, an invisible pressure enveloped the open space—cultivators below the Mahayana realm were pushed back by a gentle yet irresistible force as soon as they approached within a hundred feet of the forest, their faces turning pale, clearly unable to enter.

"It seems this is a simple barrier set up by those cultivators at the Dao Inquiry Realm, meant to prevent those who knowingly break through despite their insufficient strength from losing their lives."

"It seems there's something strange about this forest; those below the Mahayana level can't even get close to it," someone remarked.

"Nonsense, there are demonic beasts at the Dao Inquiry Realm inside. Anyone below the Great Ascension Realm would just be cannon fodder."

Xiao Chen and his two companions stood in the crowd, feeling the oppressive aura, and understood what was going on.

Qian Duoduo, accompanied by a group of followers carrying treasure chests, was distributing defensive magical artifacts to the leaders of several small and medium-sized forces: "Take these, consider them a gift from me! Follow me, and I'll guarantee your safety!"

Gui You, accompanied by several Gui family cultivators, hid in the shadows, his gaze sweeping across the depths of the forest beneath his black robes, seemingly plotting something.

Zhao Wu stood in front of the Three Saints Sect's group, quietly instructing his disciples: "After entering, first ascertain the situation, and do not act rashly."

Other factions also had their own plans: some were drawing maps, some were preparing antidotes, and some were checking magical artifacts. The air was filled with a mixture of tension and anticipation.