After passing through the last entangled poison vine, the view suddenly opened up.

Countless colossal trees, each requiring more than ten people to encircle, rose from the ground, their trunks covered with ancient patterns, sunlight filtering through the gaps in their branches and leaves.

The light cast dappled shadows on the ground, and the air was filled with an extremely pure spiritual energy that almost solidified.

Everyone instinctively stopped in their tracks, even their breathing became softer—the concentration of spiritual energy here was incredibly high.

It was more than a hundred times higher than the outside, and it carried a gentle, transformative power, clearly indicating that it was very close to the heart of the world.

No one made a move immediately; even their steps slowed. The gazes of various factions swept over each other, filled with wariness and greed, the tension in the air almost solidifying.

"careful."

Jiang Li's voice was enveloped in spiritual energy, so only Xiao Chen could hear it. Her gaze subtly swept over several strangely auraed black-robed figures in the crowd.

"I'm sure many people know this is the Heart of the World. Those in the Upper Realm want it to open a passage to descend, and there must be many people below who want to be 'pledges of allegiance' and offer it up in exchange for a spot in the Upper Realm."

Xiao Chen nodded, his fingertips lightly tracing the shaft of the gun. He could feel several gazes, seemingly casually, falling upon him from the crowd.

Some of them carried a hidden malice, clearly targeting these "unremarkable" rogue cultivators.

Just then, the white-robed elder from the Three Saints Sect stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings.

He said in a deep voice, "Did you sense it? The treasure is within a hundred feet ahead. Its aura is pure, and it seems... there's only one."

These words immediately caused a low commotion in the crowd.

A single treasure has attracted hundreds of people, including more than a dozen cultivators at the Dao Inquiry Realm. How should it be divided?

The middle-aged monk from the Western Regions clasped his hands together, chanting Buddhist mantras, but his eyes held a sharp glint.

He glanced at Xiao Chen and the other two, seemingly casually: "Since it's a unique treasure, it should naturally be obtained by someone with the right fate. Why don't we ask some people who are not strong enough and have no chance with the treasure to leave first?"

His words ostensibly implied "insufficient strength," but his eyes were fixed intently on Xiao Chen and his companions—in his view...

These three young men were at most at the late stage of the Integration Realm (Xiao Chen concealed part of his aura), so they were superfluous among this group of Tribulation Transcending and Dao Seeking Realm cultivators. They were perfect for establishing authority.

The patriarch of the Southern Rock Clan frowned: "Eliminate? How do we eliminate them?"

"Naturally, it depends on each person's ability." The monk smiled slightly, but his tone was firm and unquestionable. "Those who don't even have the qualifications to compete will only increase casualties if they stay here."

"Hmph, why waste so much breath?" Gui Xuan sneered from beneath his black robe, his voice chilling. "The treasure is right there; whoever has the ability can take it. Enough with the nonsense!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Ghost Clan cultivators behind him stepped forward in unison, their black mist surging, ready to attack at any moment.

The white-robed elder of the Three Saints Sect's eyes darkened, and the spiritual energy beneath his brocade robe began to circulate: "Brother Ghost is quite direct."

"Enough with the nonsense." Gui Xuan was too lazy to waste words with him and said to Gui You behind him, "Let's go."

The Gui family group took the lead and headed deeper into the giant tree, their black robes flitting through the forest like several ghostly shadows.

"Let's go too." The white-robed elder gave Zhao Wu a look, and the disciples of the Three Saints Sect immediately followed, their steps steady, subtly flanking half of the Ghost Clan's retreat.

Seeing this, other forces also sprang into action—the members of the Southern Region's Rock Family wielded giant axes, while the members of the Central Region's Loose Cultivator Alliance unleashed their magical artifacts.

The members of the Eastern Green Wood Alliance crept along the tree trunks, and even the few men in black robes followed them. They moved slowly but always maintained a central position.

Xiao Chen and his two companions exchanged a glance, then blended into the crowd, following at a leisurely pace, trying to minimize their presence.

Just as they stepped deep into the giant tree, a strange change occurred!

"Let's do it!"

The white-robed elder of the Three Saints Sect suddenly roared, his long sword flashing with dazzling golden light, and without warning, he slashed at Gui Xuan beside him! The sword light carried a righteous aura and moved with lightning speed, clearly indicating that it had been planned for a long time!

"I was prepared for this!" Gui Xuan reacted quickly, his black robe suddenly expanding into a black shield that blocked the blade's edge.

"clang!"

The sound of metal clashing was deafening. A crack appeared on the black shield, and Gui Xuan groaned, taking half a step back, clearly having suffered a minor injury.

"Three Saints Sect, how dare you launch a sneak attack!" Gui Xuan roared, his eyes blazing with killing intent beneath his black robe.

"Why bother with rules when dealing with you evil spirits and heretics!"

The white-robed elder sneered and swung his longsword again. The Dao Inquiry Realm cultivators of the Three Saints Sect attacked simultaneously, rushing towards the Gui family members.

The Ghost Clan cultivators were on guard, unleashing countless ghostly claws from the black mist to fight against the Three Saints Sect members.

"kill!"

Chaos spread like a plague.

Seeing the Three Saints Sect make its move, the members of the Southern Rock Clan immediately launched an attack on the Central Region Loose Cultivator Alliance.

They had always coveted a map in the hands of the Loose Cultivator Alliance; the Loose Cultivator Alliance members, not to be outdone, unleashed a variety of strange magical artifacts in retaliation.

The people of the Eastern Green Wood Alliance wanted to reap the benefits without lifting a finger, but they were ambushed by monks from the Western Regions and had no choice but to hastily fight back.

In the blink of an eye, the giant forest became a battlefield of chaos!

"Ghost Ghost, let's settle the score from the secret realm last time!" Zhao Wu flicked his spear, his righteous spear intent locking onto Ghost Ghost, the spear tip pointing directly at his face.

The ghostly black mist surged, and a cold laugh rang out: "That's exactly what I wanted to do! Let's see if your righteous energy is stronger, or my bone-corroding ghostly energy is more powerful!"

His figure blurred, transforming into a wisp of black smoke, dodging the spear while simultaneously unleashing several black ghost claws that reached for Zhao Wu's limbs.

"Well done!" Zhao Wu remained calm and composed, twirling his spear in front of him to deflect all the ghost claws.

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