Xiao Chen took a deep breath; the spiritual energy in the air was several times denser than in Gancheng.
It faintly carries the fragrance of grass and trees and a hint of sweetness—that is the creative power emanating from the heart of the world.
"Ready?" He looked at Jiang Li and Shi Tou.
Jiang Li gripped the rusty iron sword tightly, her red dress shining brightly in the morning light: "I've been prepared for a long time."
Stone, carrying the black iron armor, said in a muffled voice, "Go in and fight the monsters!"
As they passed through that invisible barrier, a gentle pressure swept over their bodies, and after confirming that their cultivation level was above the Mahayana stage, it quietly receded.
The three exchanged a glance, then, without further hesitation, strode towards the endless forest.
The scene before my eyes suddenly changed—towering ancient trees blocked out the sun, and vines coiled around the trunks like snakes.
The ground was covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves, making no sound when stepped on. In the distance came the low growl of an unknown beast, carrying a primal and wild aura.
The endless forest finally revealed its true face to them.
Meanwhile, on the open ground behind them, various forces began to move one after another, their figures surging into the woods like pebbles thrown into a lake, instantly breaking the tranquility of the forest.
The forest was shrouded in mist, and the damp air was filled with the scent of decaying leaves and vegetation. The layer of fallen leaves underfoot felt soft and spongy, but one wondered if poisonous insects or traps lurked beneath.
Jiang Li suddenly stopped, her delicate brows furrowing slightly as she listened intently. After a moment, she lowered her voice and spoke to Xiao Chen and Shi Tou.
“Something’s not right. Deep in this forest, there are several faint traces of blood energy. Although they are weak, they carry the pressure of the Dao Inquiry Realm.”
"The Dao Inquiry Realm?" Stone was taken aback. "Is it a demonic beast?"
“It’s not a demonic beast.” Jiang Li shook her head, her eyes serious.
"It's a human. And the blood aura it exudes carries a sense of decay, like... an old monster whose lifespan is about to end."
Xiao Chen instantly understood: "Are they the patriarchs of those powerful forces?"
"Nine times out of ten."
Jiang Li nodded
"Ordinary cultivators wouldn't dare stay deep in this forest. Only these old monsters who have lived for hundreds of years dare to brave the dangers here in order to find some opportunities to increase their lifespan."
We need to be more careful. These people have no scruples; they'll do anything for treasure.
The three exchanged a glance and immediately became extremely alert.
After walking for less than half an incense stick's time, Xiao Chen felt a sharp pain in his ankle. He looked down and...
Several dark green vines were wrapped around his calves, their barbs gleaming with an eerie light, silently absorbing his spiritual energy.
"Watch out for these vines!" Xiao Chen swung his spear and cut the vines in half. Dark green sap gushed from the cut, emitting a pungent odor. "It's poisonous and can absorb spiritual energy."
Jiang Li severed the vines that were binding the stone with a single sword stroke, and frowned.
“If a Mahayana cultivator stays here for too long, their spiritual energy will probably be slowly depleted by these things.”
The demonic beasts deep within are even more difficult to deal with; even those at the Dao Inquiry Realm might not be able to escape unscathed.
What's more troublesome is that they can vaguely see several groups of cultivators traveling together in the distance.
Clearly, those smaller forces still chose to form alliances. The combined power of these forces was significantly stronger than when they acted alone.
"Since they're sticking together, we need to be even more careful about where we are."
Xiao Chen said in a deep voice, "Don't get entangled with these people, especially those who want to use us as pawns."
The three concealed their presence and tried to walk along the shadows in the forest, avoiding paths that were obviously used by cultivators.
Just then, a rustling sound came from the bushes ahead, and two figures dressed in purple robes emerged, blocking their path.
The leader was a young man of about twenty years old, with an arrogant face and sharp, piercing eyes, staring intently at Xiao Chen.
Behind him followed an old man with white hair and beard, whose aura was profound and whose body was surrounded by a faint purple mist. Judging from his cultivation level, he had already reached the Dao Inquiry Realm.
The young man's eyes blazed with fury the moment he saw Xiao Chen, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Xiao Chen! I've finally found you!"
Xiao Chen raised an eyebrow, looking the other person up and down, his face blank—who is this person? Do I know him?
A bizarre thought even crossed his mind: Could it be that some female cultivator he'd only met once had a crush on him and then sent his senior brother to stand up for her? Surely not…
Before he could figure it out, the young man roared, "Half a year ago, you killed my senior brother Qin Yue of the Ziji Pavilion at Cangdao Mountain. That debt should be settled today!"
"Purple Extreme Pavilion? Qin Yue?" Xiao Chen suddenly realized, "Oh, it's you guys."
He still had some impression of Qin Yue—the guy he had knocked away with a single spear thrust, the one who had loudly declared his intention to fight for the Xuan Tian Sect at Cangdao Mountain, was a cultivator from the Ziji Pavilion.
It was just something I did on a whim, but I never expected it would bring me into trouble.
Seeing his "just remembered" look, the young man became even angrier: "You killed my senior brother, and you dare to treat him so lightly! Xiao Chen, do you dare to fight me one-on-one?"
Xiao Chen glanced at him, then at the old man beside him, and said calmly, "A one-on-one duel is fine, but I only accept life-or-death battles. Either you die, or I die. Don't call for help halfway through the fight."
He hadn't forgotten that last time at Zangdao Mountain, a strange old monster named Zifeng jumped out from behind. These sect cultivators loved ganging up on each other.
Without hesitation, the young man replied, "Alright! Let's have a fight to the death! Today, I, Yun Hui, will avenge my senior brother Qin Yue and show you the power of the Purple Extreme Pavilion!"
"Yun Hui, right?" Xiao Chen nodded, drew the spear from his back, and pointed the tip at the ground. "Remember, the person who killed you is called Xiao Chen."
"Arrogant!" Yun Hui roared, summoning a purple longsword crackling with purple lightning. "Master, I'll be right back!"
The old man behind him nodded slightly, his voice hoarse: "Go, don't disgrace the Purple Extreme Pavilion."
This old man was named Xuan Yun, and he was a very senior figure in the Ziji Pavilion. In fact, he was the senior brother of Qin Yue's master, the Old Monster Zifeng.
He personally came down from the mountain this time for two reasons: first, for the opportunity in the forest, and second, to avenge the disciples of the Purple Extreme Pavilion.
Xuan Yun's gaze fell on Xiao Chen, filled with scrutiny and coldness—this kid was able to kill Qin Yue.
He was indeed quite capable to have survived the siege of the Xuantian Sect, but in his eyes, he was still just a greenhorn. Since Yun Hui wanted to fight, he might as well let him practice.
Xiao Chen stood with his gun in hand, his expression calm.
Yun Hui gripped his longsword and walked step by step toward Xiao Chen. Purple spiritual energy swirled around him, and crackling purple lightning rang out, clearly indicating that he was truly enraged.
The fog in the forest seemed to have thickened, and the vines swayed quietly beneath their feet. In the distance, the low roars of monsters could be heard, as if setting the stage for this sudden life-or-death battle.
Jiang Li and Shi Tou stepped aside, their eyes warily fixed on Xuan Yun—the old man's aura was unfathomable, and no one could guarantee that he wouldn't suddenly make a move.
Xiao Chen looked at the aggressive Yun Hui and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
Perfect timing! I've been cooped up in the sect all this time, so I'll use you to test the results of your cultivation.
With a slight lift of the spear tip, a sharp spear intent quietly spread out, intertwining with the scent of grass and trees in the forest, carrying an "indestructible" sharpness.
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