The clash between the two false kings grew increasingly volatile by the second, with its scale of destruction expanding as the battle raged on, spreading chaos throughout the forest. The ground quaked violently, splitting apart as the earth cracked open, while vegetation was reduced to dust in the ensuing maelstrom.
Earlier, the spirit beasts who had gathered to observe the confrontation now fled in terror, casting fearful glances back at the enormous masses of black and green energy colliding incessantly. The destructive clash left pandemonium in its wake, obliterating everything in its path.
The battlefield shifted unpredictably, crisscrossing the forest at alarming speeds, leaving no place safe. Inevitably, casualties began to mount—some spirit beasts lingered too long, their curiosity proving fatal, while others were simply unlucky, caught directly in the path of the raging combatants.
A loud yell was heard from an earth claw bear in deep hibernation in its cave. It was at the fifth stage of the core formation realm and was known for its sturdy defense. However, the fight between Li Lun and Liao Ying had shifted towards its cave, and before it even had a chance to put forth its defense, it was blown to bits, leaving behind a record of the shortest yet loudest yell.
A mass exodus soon started spreading out throughout the eighth zone due to the fight. Spirit beasts within a 50-mile radius could feel the tremendous shockwaves and pressure from the battle between the two false kings. None of them hesitated as they made a ran for it trying to get as far as they could from that clash.
They all fled in different directions with some either deliberately or mindlessly headed toward the lower zones which in turn brought chaos of its own. Mass hysteria was created from their sudden appearance and the fact that they had appeared en masse towards the lower zones. The creatures that inhabited those lower zones were surprised at suddenly being swarmed by the core formation big shots from the upper zone, which in turn caused them to flee for their lives, which led them to the zones below them.
There was a shift in the established order of spirit beasts, as spirit beasts that were usually seen in Zone Eight were now in Zone Nine, and those that were in Zone Nine were swiftly moving to Zone Ten, while those that were in the core regions of zone ten were forced to move to the outer fringes of Zone Ten which was at the edge of the green fog region.
Core formations spirit beasts that were normally found in Zone Eight were now in Zone Nine, and foundation establishment spirit beasts that inhabited Zone Nine had moved to Zone Ten, while those weaker spirit beasts whose numbers were the highest were forced to be concentrated together as they pushed further down in Zone Ten.
A massive shuffle had happened which was likely to change the way of life in the lower zones of the green fog region for both the spirit beasts and the human organizations that inhabited those affected zones.
The battle between Li Lun and Liao Ying raged on violently with no signs of stopping, spreading chaos and destruction in Zone Eight. It wasn't only the spirit beasts who were shaken by the destruction happening, as the human sects that inhabited Zone Eight could feel the powerful fluctuations from the fight. All of them acted similarly, burning through countless spirit stones and treasures to power their protection arrays hoping that it would be enough to shield them from whatever chaos was happening outside, because it broke, as inhabitants of the place, they knew what fate awaited them if it did.
This was the day that changed the eighth zone for a long time to come. What had been a norm for centuries had been upended with a new era being ushered in with a reshuffling of hierarchy and powers, all from the fight of two false kings.
Whether that was a good thing or bad only time would tell for its residents.
....
Hundreds of miles northeast of the Green Fog Swamp Sect, a dragonfly zipped through the dense forest at tremendous speed. Standing atop the dragonfly, sword drawn and ready, was Feng Xin. The dragonfly, Haishi, moved with precision and grace, weaving through the trees effortlessly.
Haishi's movements had noticeably improved, her body responding with newfound control thanks to the lotus dew she had consumed. The potent liquid enhanced her maneuverability, allowing her to adjust each of her four wings independently with an ease she hadn't possessed before.
As she soared through the forest, a sticky grey tongue suddenly shot toward her with terrifying speed, aiming to strike her down. Just as the tongue was inches from Haishi, a flash of steel intervened, slicing it cleanly in half. The momentum of the strike continued, severing the body of the hidden attacker camouflaged within a nearby tree.
A geyser of blood sprayed from the wound as the creature fell to the forest floor, its camouflaged form revealed in death. The attacker was a massive green chameleon with silver-like needles adorning its back, extending all the way down to its tail. Its lifeless body lay split neatly in two, its glassy eyes wide with disbelief.
Feng Xin spared it no more than a passing glance. He didn't stop to collect it, following his earlier orders to press onward without delay.
"That's the eighth one already. Don't these spirit beasts learn?" Feng Xin muttered, scanning his surroundings warily. "I can't release my full pressure here—don't want to draw the attention of a palace-stage beast—but this is getting tiring. Haishi, pick up the pace."
Without hesitation, Haishi obeyed, her wings beating so rapidly they seemed invisible to the naked eye, though the powerful gales they generated betrayed their presence. Spirit qi from the surroundings surged into her body in a continuous stream.
The effects of the primal lotus dew were in full force, enabling Haishi to draw spiritual qi effortlessly. Every bit of energy she expended was replenished almost immediately, allowing her to push herself harder without fear of depleting her reserves.
At the rate Haishi was pushing herself, her body would have succumbed to strain if this were before. But refining the dew had fundamentally strengthened and altered her. Her body now endured the intense speed with ease, and her meridians—especially those connected to her wings—were sturdier, more elastic, and capable of handling the immense qi surging through her.
A look of exhilaration, almost euphoria, lit up Haishi's face as she tore through the forest with speed she never knew she could achieve. It felt as though she had unlocked a part of herself that had been shackled for years. The longer she flew, pushing her body to its absolute limits, the freer she felt—a sense of release unlike any she had ever known.
All her life, she had lived cautiously, every move carefully planned to avoid attracting attention or creating ripples. How could she not, when her neighbors were murderous spirit beasts that wouldn't hesitate to devour her for their own gain?
Hers had been a life of restraint. But today, for the first time in what felt like an eternity, she was unshackled. The wind whipped beneath her wings, her eyes captured the beauty of her speed, and the fears she had carried her entire life seemed to melt away. She lost herself in the rhythm of her flight.
Watching her, Feng Xin smiled in admiration. Haishi's movements, once rough and forceful, had become smoother and more precise. No longer was she relying on brute force to push herself forward; she was seamlessly integrating the abundant qi within her to achieve greater results with minimal effort. Her speed soared to new heights.
Feng Xin nodded in satisfaction at her transformation. This progress meant they would reach the swallow birds' location sooner than expected, significantly reducing the variables he would need to manage. In less than ten minutes, they would reach the edge of the Green Fog Region and close in on the rogues from the Green Fog Swamp Sect.