"Hua Wu, what's the situation here?"
"Master, in Manghuang Town right now, almost every well-known and renowned expert in Zhongzhou can be seen, and many more are emerging from nowhere. Four days ago, the ancient Bodhi tree appeared, triggering a strange phenomenon. At that time, a group led by six Dou Zun experts entered the area, but to date, not a single one has emerged. Those Dou Zun experts left behind means to determine their fate before entering, and they are all dead now. Fearing the danger, no one has entered in the past few days; they are all biding their time."
Hua Wu, a mere two-star Dou Zun, spoke of this with a trembling voice.
Seeing is believing; the terrifying power of the Manghuang Ancient Domain had finally been truly borne.
Yun Yun nodded solemnly, then looked at Chen Guan.
Chen Guan stepped forward and asked, "I can sense the auras of over a hundred experts. With so many people, they can't possibly remain motionless, right? What plans do they have?"
Hua Wu, knowing the relationship between Chen Guan and Yun Yun, readily shared her full knowledge.
"As Master Chen Guan predicted, powerful individuals are arriving daily, their numbers growing ever larger. Many are becoming increasingly impatient. Some have begun secretly contacting various parties, including the Hua Sect. It seems they're planning a large-scale expedition into the Wild Ancient Territory tomorrow. However, from what I understand, the Second Sect and the Three Pagodas are unanimous in their stance: neither agreeing nor refusing to join. They're likely planning to enter on their own."
The group from a few days ago was the vanguard.
The major factions see the same trend with these newcomers.
Even though the Wild Ancient Territory is fraught with danger, the more established sects are confident they can escape unscathed. Naturally, they don't want to join everyone else, and it's in their best interest to let these individuals explore the area first.
"I understand. Let's meet up with your Hua Sect team first, and we'll advance together tomorrow!"
After a moment's deliberation, Chen Guan made his decision.
To be on the safe side, they could wait another ten or eight days; the situation would surely become clearer by then.
But when it came to the Ancient Bodhi Tree, Chen Guan couldn't wait any longer. He had to catch up with the progress of the Eight Ancient Clans as quickly as possible. He strongly suspected that forces like the Soul Clan and the Ancient Clan were already within reach.
"Okay, Hua Wu, lead us there,"
Yun Yun ordered with a gentle nod.
Led by Hua Wu, they soon arrived at a spacious courtyard on the edge of Manghuang Town. It was a perfect match for the Hua Clan's style, infinitely quieter than the town center.
"Master!"
"Master!"
"Master!"
Five Hua Clan elders were present in the courtyard, and upon seeing the group enter, they all rose to greet them.
The strongest among them was an old woman, whose strength had reached the Nine-Star Dou Zun level!
Beyond that, the other four were quite ordinary: two Five-Star Dou Zun, one Four-Star, and one Three-Star.
"This is the Grand Elder of my Hua Sect, Elder Hua Pizhen. The others are Elders Hua Xue, Jiang Li, Li Kun'e, and Li Wen. The Grand Elder is in seclusion this time and can't come with us, and most of the other Grand Elders are also in deep retreat. This is all the Hua Sect can mobilize right now,"
Yun Yun said, stepping forward to introduce Chen Guan.
Not all of the Hua Sect's powerful members were raised by her since childhood; many joined during their time, a fact easily discernible from their surnames.
Chen Guan nodded slightly and briefly introduced Xiao Yixian and the others.
"Grand Elder, Chen Guan and I have discussed this, and we plan to explore the Wild Ancient Territory together tomorrow. What do you think?"
Yun Yun asked politely.
Despite ascending to the position of Hua Sect leader, she knew full well that this was all accidental. Therefore, Yun Yun maintained due respect for the Hua Sect elders, especially the Grand Elder.
Of course, this presupposed mutual respect.
The Grand Elder had been surveying Chen Guan and the others. Hearing the question, he didn't refuse, a smile breaking across his aged face.
"I know of your relationship with Young Chen Guan. You've achieved such prowess at such a young age. You have good judgment. Young Chen Guan is a Grand Master of Alchemy and masters the strange fires. This will be a great advantage in the Wild Ancient Domain. And this young woman's afflicted poison body will make her even more adept there. The Hua Sect will follow your lead on this journey. I don't seek any advantage, as long as I don't suffer too much."
This Grand Elder, unusually, wasn't as assertive as the Hua Sect's Great Elder Chen Guan had met once before. He was extremely easygoing.
Yun Yun was undoubtedly the happiest person to receive this response. She had been worried that these elders might have their own ideas, which might conflict with Chen Guan's, leaving her caught in the middle.
Now, it seemed her worries were unnecessary.
"Don't worry, Elder. Chen Guan will do his best,"
Chen Guan said with satisfaction. Beyond anything else, even for Yun Yun's sake, he would do more for the Hua Sect.
...
The next day.
Before dawn, Chen Guan and the others, still immersed in their cultivation, sensed the presence of nearly a thousand auras pouring into the Wild Ancient Domain.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Figures soared high into the sky, peering into the hazy night.
"Over forty Dou Zun warriors, gathered together, they're a formidable force. But it's still dark, and this is a time when poisonous creatures are rampant. I'm afraid they'll suffer considerable losses,"
laughed Skyfire Venerable, floating in mid-air.
It was clear these men weren't content to simply serve as pathfinders for the larger powers.
"They're just using each other. Those Dou Zong warriors accompanying them are just stepping stones for them, too."
Little Medical Immortal shook her head slightly, getting to the point.
Strength is the fundamental principle.
Even the weak aren't fools. Many know the journey is a life-or-death struggle, yet they're still willing to take a chance for the slightest chance. After all, this might be their only chance to change their fate.
"Quite a few people have followed."
Following Yun Yun's gaze, Chen Guan and the others agreed, and several figures, concealing their auras, began to pour into the Wild Ancient Territory.
"Don't worry, we'll set off at
daybreak." Chen Guan shook his head slightly, not rushing.
Setting off now would be fraught with danger, while leaving later would be relatively safer. The difference wouldn't be significant.
Two hours later, light dispelled the darkness.
It was also at this moment that the major forces that had been sitting still began to move.
Chen Guan and his group followed suit.
Arriving at the edge of the Wild Ancient Territory, an ancient aura suddenly washed over them from the primeval forest. Massive trees, hundreds of feet tall, towered over them like giants, their shade blotting out the sun, making it difficult for even the sunlight from the sky to penetrate.
Looking out, the forest's depths revealed a chilling darkness, occasionally echoing with ferocious beast roars that chilled the very core of the soul.
"For anyone below the level of Dou Zun, entering here is tantamount to committing suicide," a Flower Sect elder muttered.
The Wild Ancient Domain, known as a forbidden area for humanity, faces grave danger even for Dou Zun warriors. But now, many here are only Dou Zong, and even Dou Huang...
With such strength, entering the ancient domain would likely lead to their demise if they encountered any trouble, becoming fertilizer to nourish the towering trees.
The allure of the ancient Bodhi tree has already caused some to lose their minds.
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After a brief sigh, Chen Guan waved his hand and said, "Let's go. Be careful!"
With those words, Chen Guan's feet flashed with lightning, and he was the first to transform into a dark shadow, swooping into the ancient forest at high speed.
Behind him, Yun Yun, Xiao Yixian, and ten others followed.
The ancient domain of the desolate world teemed with monsters, and flying at high altitudes made them easy targets, undoubtedly the most foolish course of action.
Therefore, everyone entering the area flew close to the ground. While this approach was slower, it was safer.
Thanks to the dedication of the groups ahead, a series of "smooth paths" with varying directions had been created along the previously dense and chaotic edges of the trees.
Chen Guan didn't forge a new path, instead following the widest avenue at top speed. Perhaps due to good luck, or perhaps due to the help of those ahead, the eleven of them flew for a full quarter of an hour before they encountered their first monster.
It was a massive python over ten feet long, and its maw unleashed a foul-smelling rain of poison. Even a low-ranking Dou Zun would suffer if they were careless.
However, before the Little Medical Immortal, it was like wielding a sword before Guan Gong. With a leap, she swung her delicate hand, gathering the pouring poison into a ball. She injected a small amount of the toxic aura and flicked it back into the python's mouth.
Immediately, the python howled shrilly as everyone watched, completely consumed in a few breaths, leaving a long trail on the ground.
"As we go deeper, the surrounding toxic barrier grows thicker. These demonic beasts must be affected by it. Their intelligence isn't as high as in the outside world, making them even more ferocious and bloodthirsty, their focus focused on killing."
Picking up the magic core from the ground, the Little Medical Immortal withdrew a bottle of scarlet elixir from her ring and distributed it.
"This is a poison-repellent pill. It's effective against the toxic barrier. Everyone, take it first. If you feel any discomfort as you go deeper, let me know immediately."
As the Grand Elder of the Ruhua Sect had said, the toxic body of the toxic body truly thrives here.
While others needed to take elixirs or create a Dou Qi barrier to protect themselves, Little Medical Immortal didn't need to do anything. Far from feeling uncomfortable, she felt incredibly comfortable, her Dou Qi flowing naturally, as if she'd entered a deep state of cultivation.
It's no exaggeration to say that even if she didn't do anything, just sleep in this poisonous barrier for a few months, her strength would reach new heights!
Everyone took the elixirs and continued to advance.
Following the giant python, the attacking monsters gradually increased in number. In just half an hour, the group encountered nine attacks, one after another, almost without pause.
One of the attacking monsters was nearly a four-star Dou Zun. Although easily defeated, it only made them feel more deeply the danger of the Wild Ancient Domain.
After all, this was only the outer reaches!
"There's a smell of blood."
Quickening their pace, they reached an open area.
It was obvious that a battle had just taken place here, with over ten corpses lying on the ground.
"Young Master, this is a Dou Zun!"
Qing Lin called out, standing over a pitch-black corpse.
As they approached, they saw a lingering trace of fear and regret on the corpse's face.
Everyone sighed softly at the sight.
In the outside world, this would have been enough to support a major power, yet it had the misfortune of dying here, its body uncollected, only its storage ring taken. It
was tragic, lamentable, and pitiful.
"The road ahead is widening, and the footprints are becoming less visible. We must be more careful from now on."
Sparks flew from his fingertips, incinerating all the corpses. Chen Guan said, gazing at the road ahead.
All the way here, they had followed the footsteps of others, which had saved them a lot of trouble.
But from now on, they had to rely on themselves.
Fortunately, their group was strong, so they felt confident.
They chose a direction and headed deeper.
As they had expected, the journey ahead was like the Journey to the West, fraught with danger at every turn.
In just half a day, they had killed hundreds of monsters.
"It's truly a forbidden area! If I were alone, I'd be dead for sure. I wonder if there might be powerful Saint-level monsters deep within?"
Hua Wu, the weaker of the group, felt her chest heaving slightly, stuffing pills into her mouth, still trembling with fear.
"Perhaps, but that's not something we should be worrying about," Hua Xue said with a smile,
shaking her head. The next moment, her smile froze.
Noticing her abnormality, everyone followed her gaze and saw a dark, inky tide sweeping towards them from the dense forest a hundred feet away.
A closer look revealed that it wasn't a tide at all, but a dense, countless swarm of venomous insects!
These insects were tiny, yet moved silently, leaving a trail of darkness in their wake, a testament to their potent venom.
Even a swarm of ants can kill an elephant; even a Dou Zun mighty might find such a scene unsettling.
"Hua Wu, Hua Xue, retreat!"
the Grand Elder shouted softly, extending his withered palm. A purple lotus flower immediately emerged, blossoming in the wind.
The next moment, a strong, pungent scent spread like ripples, slowing the swath of venomous insects to a tangible slowdown. Huge swarms of them froze, falling to the ground, completely motionless.
Unfortunately, the venomous insects were too numerous and devoured their comrades. Despite the purple lotus's might, they continued to swarm like moths to a flame, devouring their companions' bodies.
Seeing this, the group no longer stood idly by and took action.
Brilliant, exotic flowers blossomed among the insects, each opening and closing capable of carrying away tens of thousands of venomous insects. This was the Flower Sect's fighting technique.
Three Nine Netherworld Pythons leaped out one after another, their massive bodies their ultimate weapons. Like gods and demons, they crushed vast swarms of venomous insects. These three Nine Netherworld Pythons, selflessly striving, outdoing anyone else.
A poisonous cloud gathered in the sky, and a torrent of poisonous rain poured down. Each drop of rain carried a tiny swarm of venomous insects, a hissing sound echoing endlessly.
The Skyfire Venerable summoned flames, transforming them into a vast shield that enveloped everyone. The venomous insects rushed towards them, instantly annihilating them.
Chen Guan was also not idle. With a thought, two fire dragons roared out from his body, wiping out nothingness wherever they passed.
He slew wave after wave, countless venomous insects perished, leaving only a thick layer of ash on the ground.
This slaughter lasted for over ten minutes before the black tide in sight completely dissipated.
Whoosh!
Everyone in the Hua Sect breathed a sigh of relief. It might have seemed like a one-sided massacre, but it was the result of everyone's combined efforts.
Killing them all alone, even at the level of a Five-Star Dou Zun, would be a tremendous expense, and encountering other monster attacks would be dangerous.
"Every step forward is truly a challenge."
"But they still can't stop us. With the Sect Master, the Grand Elder, and Master Chen Guan in command, even ten times as many poisonous insects wouldn't be enough."
"Pfft, pfft, stop talking nonsense, you crow-mouth."