From within the ancient forest, swirling with poisonous miasma, shrill screams echoed from afar, casting an utterly eerie atmosphere.
Suddenly
, within the dense miasma, bursts of wind broke through, and a faint glow of fire appeared. Strangely, as the flames appeared, the surrounding miasma, as if startled, automatically retreated, leaving a clear, empty path.
The next moment, a group of more than ten people emerged.
"The miasma is thinning. It looks like we're almost out of this area."
Little Medical Immortal, possessed of the afflicted poison body, was most sensitive to this. She could sense that the Dou Qi within her was less active than it had been the past half day.
"Finally, we're getting out!"
Hua Wu and the others breathed a sigh of relief. They had lost count of how many attacks they had faced that day. Although they had always escaped danger, the intense tension was still quite draining.
Furthermore, the hazy poison barrier enveloped them, causing them to unconsciously feel a sense of oppression. Their increasingly sparse speech along the way was a telling sign.
"Keep going! This poison barrier is only the outer edge of the Wild Ancient Domain. It can stop most people, but it poses no threat to the top forces. They're probably faster than us, and perhaps some have already reached the Ancient Domain Terrace."
The Ancient Domain Terrace was the only truly safe place within the Wild Ancient Domain.
With this, Chen Guan tapped the ground with his toes and shot out like an arrow from a bow. Behind him, ten figures followed at lightning speed.
Ten minutes later, just as Little Medical Immortal had predicted, the surrounding poisonous miasma finally dissipated completely. Sunlight once again poured down, bringing a long-lost warmth.
Reaching a high point, they gazed into the distance, only to see a vast ravine stretching hundreds of feet across the sky, forming a stark boundary between the inner and outer realms.
Beyond the ravine stretched an endless expanse of mountains, rising and falling one after another. Giant trees towered over the sky, like mushroom clouds blooming on the ground.
That was the true wilderness of the ancient land!
The dangers within far surpassed those on the outskirts.
"It's so vast! So many people risked their lives to enter it, and even lost their way. Finding the ancient Bodhi tree is a matter of luck," sighed the Grand Elder of the Flower Sect.
And that's even before factoring in the dangers of both demonic beasts and humans. The obstacles were numerous, and nothing was easy.
Chen Guan nodded in agreement. With a flip of his hand, the Bodhi seed, obtained from the saliva of the Bodhi body, landed in his palm, emitting a faint fluorescent light.
Closing his eyes and carefully sensing it, he could detect a slightly stronger glow from the Bodhi seed to the left.
"This way!"
Putting away the Bodhi seed, Chen Guan charged out.
The Bodhi seed was connected to the ancient Bodhi tree. With it in hand, Chen Guan had a few more advantages than ordinary people. At least he could keep his general direction correct, avoiding wandering like a headless fly.
Crossing the ravine, he crossed the mountain ranges.
Along the way, the group encountered numerous attacks from ferocious beasts, though the frequency wasn't as high as in the outer regions. However, each attacking beast was superior in strength to a Dou Zun!
After speeding for hundreds of miles, they arrived at a valley. Suddenly, Qing Lin, standing to the side, paused. Raising his hand, his Dou Qi transformed into two ropes, lashing out towards a hidden location.
"Ah!" "Ah!"
Two terrified screams echoed, branches and leaves scattering as two figures, bound and bound, descended upon the group.
"Senior, spare us! We mean no harm!"
The two struggled to their knees, begging frantically. Upon seeing the Hua Sect members, their faces paled even further, and they leaned forward slightly, as if trying to conceal the pattern on their robes.
It was the emblem of the Tianming Sect!
The relationship between the Hua Sect and the Tianming Sect had plummeted since the fall of the Demonic Flower Evil Lord. Friction had been constant. If the frequent deaths of Tianming Sect masters hadn't severely weakened their power, war would have already begun.
Chen Guan observed the two men's small movements, but did not expose them.
"You are spies sent by a certain force, the team should be nearby, tell us about the useful information you have." Venerable Skyfire laughed, looking kind.
The two men were only Dou Zong in strength, and were obviously tools to explore the way and die.
"We will tell the senior, can you..."
Tsk!
Before he finished speaking, a flame had pierced through his eyebrows, and he was deader than dead.
I am the knife and you are the meat, how can we have the capital to negotiate terms?
You don't even have this much sense, you don't deserve to die.
Seeing his companion fall beside him, the remaining Dou Zong trembled all over, cold sweat covered his forehead, and without Venerable Skyfire asking any more questions, he blurted out all the information he knew.
"I… We are from the Tian… Tianming Sect. This time, we're exploring the Wild Ancient Territory, led by… Grand Elder Liu Cang and another Grand Elder. Originally, there were exactly fifty of us, but most of us were, like me, cannon fodder sent to explore the land. Now, only sixteen remain, seven of whom are Dou Zun powerhouses, and both Grand Elders are at the level of Nine-Star Dou Zun."
He spoke tremblingly, and seeing the increasingly amiable expression on the face of Grand Elder Tianhuo, his fear subsided a little.
As expected, in front of these powerful individuals, obedience was the only way to survive. Perhaps, if the other party's mood improved, they might even let him go.
To secure this glimmer of hope, the spy spoke even more earnestly.
"Since entering the Wild Ancient Domain, we've encountered four groups, all led by Dou Zun masters, but they were all wiped out by the two Supreme Elders..."
"We crossed the Sky Gorge half a day ago. Unsure of the Ancient Bodhi Tree's location, our progress was slow. However, that allowed us to discover an Ancient Sky Demon Python. However, it was so ferocious that even the two Supreme Elders were terrified and didn't dare to act rashly. So, after discussion, the two elders decided to seek help. They invited the other groups to form an alliance first, slay the Ancient Sky Demon Python, and then...slay the helpers."
"That's why we were sent out, to explore the way and search for help. We just sensed the presence of the elders and came over."
Aside from the battle with the demon beast, the day's experience wasn't much. The scout finished his account in just a few minutes.
The Skyfire Venerable finally asked about the location of the Tianming Sect's encampment and nodded in satisfaction.
"You can leave now. I won't kill you."
The spy was overjoyed, only to be smitten to death by Qinglin, his face etched with surprise.
No one paid attention to this minor detail; everyone was thinking the same thing.
The Ancient Sky Demonic Python!
This was an extremely rare, mutated snake-type magical beast, even more ferocious than the Nine Netherworld Python.
However, this demonic beast is extremely rare and long extinct in the outside world, so it's surprising that it still exists here.
Demonic beasts, especially high-level ones, are full of treasures, and this ancient Sky Demonic Python is no exception.
Its blood cleanses and strengthens the body.
Furthermore, ancient Sky Demonic Pythons have a habit of building blood pools, as these pools serve as the birthplaces for their offspring.
To ensure their offspring absorb sufficient energy, as they grow, they continuously gather powerful natural treasures to build blood pools, laying an incredibly formidable foundation for their offspring.
If a powerful human could gain control of this blood pool, the benefits would be immense.
Chen Guan remembered that Xiao Yan had gained this benefit in the original trajectory.
The difference was that it was the Hua Sect that discovered it.
Now, it was the Tianming Sect that had taken the lead.
However, considering that Bodhi Seed was guiding them, it wasn't surprising that they were following similar routes.
"Let's go and take a look."
Chen Guan's body, baptized by the blood of the old Dragon Emperor, had long since become incredibly powerful, rivaling even the demonic beasts.
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This blood pool wouldn't have much of an effect on his advancement.
However, it could help Xiao Yixian, Yun Yun, and the others improve, laying the foundation for their advancement to Sainthood.
...
Concentrating their auras, the group quietly approached the Tianming Sect's headquarters.
The scout hadn't lied; within ten minutes, they had spotted seven Dou Zun powerhouses lingering in the valley.
Presumably, the other cannon fodder Dou Zongs had been dispatched to scout the way and find others.
Opposite the seven Tianming Sect members stood an extremely steep peak, like a giant python towering to the sky. From the mountain, thick black auras continuously emanated, enveloping the sky for hundreds of meters. The aura was so frightening that no ferocious beast dared to set foot within this area.
The ancient Sky Demon Python likely had no idea that humans would play tricks on it and camp at the foot of the mountain!
"The younger one in white is Liu Cang. I've seen him a few times before. That ugly, dying old man is called Qin Yijing. They're both shameless!"
the Hua Sect's Grand Elder whispered softly from within the sound barrier.
They were from the same era, so it wasn't surprising that they knew each other.
Looking at the seven people below, everyone in the Hua Sect, including Yun Yun, radiated murderous intent.
"You handle the other five, and leave these two to me." As
soon as he finished speaking, Chen Guan's aura suddenly surged, and in the blink of an eye, he surpassed the Grand Elder beside him.
This time, he faced a formidable opponent, and he was eager to test his newly acquired secret technique. As for the aftereffects, the ancient Sky Demon Python's blood pool was right there, completely negligible.
The sound barrier dissipated, and Chen Guan immediately leaped forth, a massive fireball emerging, locking onto the two Grand Elders of the Tianming Sect and crashing down fiercely.
Behind him, Skyfire Venerable, Little Medical Fairy, and the others also launched into action, engaging in a flurry of combat, their brilliant fighting spirit filling the sky.
In a losing situation, be cautious and plan carefully.
In a crushing situation, just go for the flying dragon!
The opponent Chen Guan mentioned wasn't the seven members of the Tianming Sect, but the lurking ancient Sky Demon Python.
"How dare you!"
"Old woman, you're courting death!"
The attack was sudden, but Liu Cang and Qin Yijing reacted quickly, leaping up in quick succession, punching and forming hand seals to block the massive fireball.
They didn't see Chen Guan immediately, but they did see the Hua Sect members clearly, utterly enraged.
Unfortunately, no one paid them any attention.
Yun Yun and the other ten focused solely on the five Dou Zun separated by Chen Guan.
The strongest of these five was only a seven-star Dou Zun. Facing an opponent twice as powerful as their own, including the Grand Elder, Yun Yun, Little Medical Immortal, Qing Lin, and Sky Fire Venerable, their calculated actions led to a predictable outcome.
Almost instantly, the five frantic attempts to block the attack were shattered. Heavenly fire scorched the sky, poisonous rain washed away the fallen, and exotic flowers bloomed in profusion. No trace of their bodies remained, and they still owed more than ten lives.
"Flower Sect!!!"
Elsewhere, Liu Cang and Qin Yijing combined their strength to block Chen Guan's casual attack.
But turning back, they saw that the five Dou Zun had already fallen.
This shocked them both, and filled them with immense rage.
Every Dou Zun was the backbone of the sect!
Boom!
Without giving them a chance to talk, Chen Guan's figure appeared before them.
There was no frills; only a continuous barrage of fists, a single blow of overwhelming power.
Unlike Chen Guan's carefree demeanor, Liu Cang and the other two felt an immense pressure, as if the sky were bearing down on them. They couldn't even rise to the sky, and could only passively mobilize their Dou Qi, regardless of the cost.
Half a minute later, they were pale and sweating profusely.
A minute later, with a crackling sound, their defenses shattered, yet their strength was shattered. Each of them took a direct blow from Chen Guan, their bodies slamming into the rocks like a cannonball, their energy dwindling.
Chen Guan, taking advantage of his position, pursued them. There was a resounding roar like thunder, and a few breaths later, he emerged carrying Liu Cang's body. He had truly experienced the power of the strong.
A Nine-Star Dou Zun, beaten to death by a fist!
It was bizarre to even speak of it.
Glancing at another nearby cave, Chen Guan turned to Yun Yun.
"Yun'er, I leave it to you."
A Nine-Star Dou Zun, not yet at her peak, was indeed a suitable opponent for Yun Yun's current training.
Chen Guan had no concerns for her safety. With so many people watching, even if Qin Yijing self-destructed, he would pose no threat to Yun Yun.
Of course, as long as Yun Yun's life was not in danger, they would not attack, understanding Chen Guan's intentions.
Yun Yun nodded solemnly and stepped forward. Even though she wasn't at her peak, a Nine-Star Dou Zun cornered by a desperate situation was not to be underestimated.
This battle wouldn't kill her.
But it wouldn't be easy either.
Chen Guan glanced at her and then retracted his gaze, no longer pressuring her. He soared into the air, gazing directly at the mountain shrouded in black mist.
There, a pair of enormous crimson eyes fixed him intently.
The Ancient Sky Demon Python—this was his match.
Boom!
Below, Yun Yun was already engaged in combat with the Grand Elder of the Tianming Sect.
At that moment, from the massive peak in front of Chen Guan, a piercing snake-like cry suddenly erupted. Immediately, the entire mountain trembled and shook.
A humming sound broke through the wind, and a massive black snake tail, a hundred feet long, burst forth from the mountain with terrifying force like lightning, sweeping fiercely towards Chen Guan.
"Well done!"
Chen Guan, unfazed, shouted softly, his body covered in ancient dragon and phoenix armor, and he fiercely swung his fist to meet the blow.
BANG!
As the two made contact, a terrifying turbulent wind erupted, sending waves of visible air trembling the very space.
The surging wind sent the massive black snake's tail flying back, its scales shattering in large sections, spilling out specks of bright red.
Chen Guan, similarly, was thrown back several steps by the immense force, a result that rather than surprise, delighted him.
While he had easily slain the three scorpion demons at the spatial trade fair, that was only with the aid of his mental power.
Without the aid of his mental power, relying solely on his fighting spirit, even Chen Guan, despite his numerous powerful fighting techniques, would have been no match for the three scorpion demons.
But now, things were different. With the help of the secret technique, he didn't even need to use his mental strength to fight the Ancient Sky Demon Python head-on.
After just one strike, he realized that
this Ancient Sky Demon Python was truly the equivalent of a fifth or sixth level Dou Zun warrior!