Chapter 385: The Beast Spirit Barrier
Ssshhh!
In the depths of the forest, the sound of wind being torn apart echoed endlessly. To avoid being outpaced by other factions, Xiao Yuan and his group picked up speed. Following closely behind Zi Yan, they flew for nearly ten minutes before she finally landed lightly atop a tall tree, her eyes fixed straight ahead.
Xiao Yuan landed beside her, and his gaze followed hers—instantly freezing in place. A bright smile of excitement appeared on his face.
Before them lay a small lake about ten zhang wide. Its water was startlingly clear, yet the bottom couldn't be seen. At its center floated a small patch of land, like a miniature island. Atop that island stood a strangely-shaped little tree.
The tree was entirely grayish-silver, its twisted branches resembling coiling vines. Together, they arched into an unusual shape—if seen from a distance, it looked oddly like a pregnant woman with a round belly. Within that "belly" formed by the thick branches, faint golden light could be seen radiating from within.
"It's a Soul Infant Demon Tree!" Xiao Yuan exclaimed, delight overtaking his voice. "This thing is amazing! Just consuming its fruit can fully restore someone's damaged soul origin. And if used in pill refinement, it can help elevate one's soul realm!"
"Hmph! Of course! I never miss when it comes to finding divine treasures!"
Zi Yan said proudly.
"Oho! Then what are we waiting for? Let's go grab it!"
Xiong Zhan eagerly rubbed his fists. With Xiao Yuan being so overwhelmingly strong, there usually wasn't much for him to help with—so he could only try to be helpful in smaller ways like this.
"Hold on. All spiritual treasures of this level are protected by guardian beasts. This Soul Infant Fruit is a treasure that strengthens the soul—it's extremely valuable even to magical beasts. No way it's unguarded."
Zi Yan shook her head and narrowed her eyes toward the lake. Her white hand clenched into a fist and, from a distance, she punched out violently. A terrifying wave of force slammed into the surface, punching a massive hole into the water.
Boom!
The once-calm lake suddenly erupted in wild waves. From within its depths, a massive shadow surged upward and finally broke the surface with a huge splash, its enormous, menacing eyes scanning its surroundings.
"Whoa! It's a Tongtian Jiao! This species is already extinct in the outside world!"
Zi Yan exclaimed, eyes wide with surprise.
Xiao Yuan and the others stared at the creature that burst forth. It had a serpentine body covered in cyan scales, impossibly long—only a portion was visible above the water. Atop its head protruded a long black horn etched with mysterious patterns, faint blue light glimmering from within them.
Tongtian Jiao—an ancient magical beast. Xiao Yuan had read about it in ancient texts. In ancient times, they were famous for their combat prowess. It was said they possessed a trace of dragon bloodline, and if they survived numerous lightning tribulations, they could eventually evolve into a true Taixu Ancient Dragon.
"To think we'd see one here…"
Xiao Yuan marveled, then looked to Zi Yan. She nodded lightly. "Leave it to me."
This beast's strength was at the peak of the seventh tier, but thanks to its bloodline and powerful body, it could battle even Dou Zun experts. Xiao Yuan's group could defeat it if needed—but it would be a shame to destroy such a rare species. Better to try and win it over.
Zi Yan leapt down from the tree and floated lightly over the lake. Purple light radiated from her body, condensing above her head into a glowing purple dragon over ten feet long. The dragon let out a thunderous roar the moment it appeared.
Though small in form, the purple dragon was a genuine Taixu Ancient Dragon—the supreme ruler of the magical beast world. The Tongtian Jiao, bearing a similar bloodline, immediately reacted to that overwhelming dragon might.
Under the purple dragon's low growl, the fury in the Tongtian Jiao's eyes faded. Its massive body slowly sank back into the water, and its giant head inched closer to Zi Yan like a docile pet.
Seeing this, everyone let out a breath of relief. Zi Yan gently patted the creature's head, then pointed toward the island and the Soul Infant Demon Tree.
The beast paused. Reluctance filled its eyes. It had guarded that fruit for countless years—naturally, it was unwilling to simply give it up. But Zi Yan's dragon pressure made refusal impossible. It lowered its head sadly, looking utterly pitiful.
"Can we give it something in return? Poor thing looks heartbroken."
Zi Yan said, a little moved, turning to Xiao Yuan.
Xiao Yuan flashed down beside her, cupped his hands toward the Tongtian Jiao, and said:
"Brother Jiao, though this treasure is a powerful soul supplement, it's not as effective for physical-body cultivators like magical beasts. I have three types of pills that refine and strengthen beast bodies—they'll help you greatly. Also, considering your ancient dragon bloodline, transforming into human form is no small task. Here's a top-grade Transformation Pill. I'm an eighth-tier alchemist. If you're willing, you could follow me going forward."
The words "Transformation Pill" made the beast's eyes light up. When it heard "eighth-tier alchemist," its eyes went completely round. After a stunned moment, it eagerly nodded its massive head.
Obeying an eighth-tier alchemist and a true Taixu Ancient Dragon? That beat guarding some lonely lake any day!
Xiao Yuan smiled and tossed the pills forward. The Tongtian Jiao swallowed them whole in one gulp.
Immediately, a soft green glow enveloped its body, forming a cocoon of energy around it.
"Tch. The medicine's too potent—looks like it's going to evolve right away."
Xiao Yuan chuckled, a little exasperated. He'd planned to take it along, but for now, that was clearly impossible.
"Just stay here and evolve."
Shaking his head, Xiao Yuan leapt toward the small island at the lake's center.
Standing next to the Soul Infant Demon Tree, he finally saw two fist-sized golden fruits nestled within the tangle of branches that resembled a pregnant belly. Each fruit looked like a tiny, perfectly sculpted baby, radiating a faint golden glow and exuding a subtle fragrance that soothed the soul.
"Let's grab the goods and go. The beast roars in the forest are getting closer—looks like more people are arriving."
Cai Lin and the others landed on the island, urging him.
Xiao Yuan nodded. He quickly cut a thick branch from the tree and fashioned two crude wooden boxes. Soul Infant Fruits couldn't be stored in just anything—otherwise their essence would dissipate. Only branches from the parent tree could preserve them.
Once the boxes were ready, he carefully snipped off the fruit-laden branches and sealed them inside, then stored them safely in his ring.
"Let's move."
Just as they were about to leave and explore more, Xiao Yuan noticed Zi Yan standing still, staring into the deeper forest.
"What's wrong?"
"…Something is calling me."
Her voice was dreamy, her gaze distant. The feeling came from her bloodline.
Everyone turned toward where she pointed, but all they saw was more endless forest.
Xiao Yuan frowned slightly, then said, "If it's calling to you, we should check it out. Maybe there's something here that's truly important for you."
Hearing his approval, a bright smile blossomed on Zi Yan's face. She tapped her foot and darted ahead. The others followed.
Deeper within the forest, the beastly auras were even more intense—enough that Xiao Yuan and the others began to frown. Thankfully, thanks to Zi Yan's dragon aura, those creatures, though sensing them, hesitated and withdrew.
Of course, none of them realized the dragon presence belonged to a juvenile Taixu Ancient Dragon…
Regardless, the group encountered little resistance. After about ten minutes, they began to slow.
"…The beast auras here are completely gone."
Cai Lin whispered as they entered a flat stretch of land.
Xiao Yuan sensed it too—the strong beast presences from before had vanished.
"We're at the center of the forest."
Zi Yan replied, her eyes fixed ahead. A stretch of green meadow lay before them, seemingly ordinary.
She stepped down from a branch, walked ten steps, and reached out.
Just as her hand passed through empty space, a golden glow emerged out of nowhere.
Xiao Yuan and the others looked on in shock. The golden light formed a dome-shaped barrier, about ten zhang across. Though it shone brilliantly, the thick trees concealed it well—without being close, they'd have never noticed it.
"What is that?"
The others gathered beside Zi Yan, faces tense. This pressure… even if they all attacked together, they likely couldn't break this golden barrier.
"It's a Beast Spirit Barrier. Only immensely powerful magical beasts can form it at the moment of death."
Zi Yan traced the barrier's surface, her expression sorrowful.
Xiao Yuan was silent. If this thing had called to Zi Yan, then its creator might also be of the Taixu Ancient Dragon clan.
"No… there's another aura too. It's not just Taixu Ancient Dragon—it smells like the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan. But purer than the current clan."
Zi Yan frowned.
Everyone exchanged glances. Could that mean… an ancient Heavenly Demon Phoenix died here too?
"Why not open it and see?"
Xiong Zhan scratched his head.
Zi Yan nodded. She bit her fingertip, drawing a drop of golden blood, and gently smeared it across the barrier.
"This kind of barrier can only be opened by matching bloodlines…"
As her blood touched it, the barrier pulsed and shimmered. A crack of golden light slowly split open.
"Let's go."
Zi Yan stepped through, and the others followed quickly. As the last person entered, the crack vanished without a trace.
The moment they crossed the threshold, the lush forest vanished.
They now stood on a desolate plain.
The ground was blood-red sand, occasionally streaked with chalk-white patches. In the center stood a hundred-zhang-tall stone altar, ancient and solemn. From it radiated a pressure so oppressive that even Xiao Yuan and Venerable Tianhuo felt their Dou Qi falter.
"…What terrifying pressure."
Xiao Yuan and Tianhuo exchanged glances, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.
For two powerhouses comparable to nine-star Dou Zuns to be shaken just by pressure—what kind of being had left this behind?
(END CHAPTER)
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