Chapter 152: Pathfinder
Swoosh! The peak powerhouses of Central Earth, including Dong Pan Great Emperor, Extreme North King, Niu Hao, Mountain Demon King, and others, all turned their gazes towards Jin Ji.
Jin Ji immediately felt the pressure.
In his mind, he couldn't help but curse, "Damn it, Qiong Hai King, it's none of your business, why speak up?"
Refuse?
Currently, in the entire cultivation world of Central Earth, there were only two powerful joint formations: one was the 'Golden Stone Five Elements Formation' proposed by Fang Xia, and the other was the Seven Star Profound Flame Formation, with its formation disk and flags scattered between the Great Jin and Fang Xia.
Now, Fang Xia not only presented a unique formation but also readily agreed to hand over the Seven Star Profound Flame Formation flags.
Adding to Wan Liu's guidance earlier, it could be said that various forces in Central Earth, especially figures like Wan Xing Dao Ren and Dong Pan Great Emperor, had a great affinity for the Hengyun Sect.
If Jin Ji refused, it would only alienate all the forces in Central Earth!
But if he agreed?
In Jin Ji's view, once he handed over the formation disk, it wouldn't be easy to retrieve it, especially when it was crucial to escape during critical moments.
"Jin Ji, don't waste everyone's time, speak up." Qiong Hai King roared, displaying a domineering demeanor.
The various heavenly elites felt it was only natural.
As the leader of the demon race and the king of the sea, Qiong Hai King had the capital to be overbearing.
"Jin Ji, this is of great importance." Dong Pan Great Emperor stared at Jin Ji.
Everyone was waiting for Jin Ji's answer.
"Fellow friends."
Jin Ji scanned everyone and said in a low voice, "I understand the gravity of the situation. However, the formation disk of the Seven Star Profound Flame Formation can only be manipulated by the Great Jin's Three Holy Lands. I think it is also suitable for Friend Zhao Xing to control the formation disk."
"At the same time, I suggest that Wan Xing Dao Ren preside over Friend Fang Xia's 'Golden Stone Five Elements Formation,'" Jin Ji continued. "In addition, after this battle, the flags of the Seven Star Profound Flame Formation must be returned to the Royal Family of Great Jin."
Silence enveloped the area.
Many heavenly elites looked at each other, thinking that Jin Ji had no shame.
Just didn't expect... he would be so shameless.
"Jin Ji! Truly audacious."
Qiong Hai King suddenly stood up, his huge dragon body exuding extraordinary momentum. He widened his eyes and roared, "Friend Fang Xia presides over the formation, displaying remarkable formation skills! Moreover, he provided the formation disk and flags."
"And you?"
"Just one formation disk, not even a flag, what's the use? At a critical moment for the existence of Central Earth, you're still planning and being obstructive here. Do you take us for fools?" Qiong Hai King stared fiercely at Zhao Xing. "If Jin Quan were to lead the formation, I wouldn't say anything. But that old man doesn't even want to join the battle. Is he waiting to take advantage?"
"Do you believe I'll go and devour all the offspring of your Great Jin Royal Family first? Will you be the first to taste the wrath of Jin Cang?" Qiong Hai King raged.
Jin Ji's face changed slightly upon hearing this.
Jin Cang was the contemporary emperor of Great Jin, and he knew well that as the king of the Southern Sea, Qiong Hai King was capable of such insane acts.
"Friend Qiong Hai, I think..." Zhao Xing was about to speak.
"Do you think so? What a load of crap!" Qiong Hai King roared, "Your Great Jin Three Holy Lands keep talking about unifying Central Earth. When faced with a great calamity, you're still scheming. What unification? It's better to relinquish your territory early."
At this moment, Qiong Hai King opened his big mouth, showcasing his full firepower, attracting the attention of leaders from various forces.
No one expected Qiong Hai King, usually not good with words, to be so sharp today.
The key was that Qiong Hai King was the most suitable candidate to speak up.
Firstly, he was a demon, not a force on the Central Earth continent.
Secondly, his strength was formidable, and in terms of seniority, he was already the king of the Southern Sea even before Wan Xing Dao Ren rose to prominence.
Thirdly, he was a body refiner, and regardless of who led the formation, he couldn't benefit, making him unable to profit.
So, at first glance, Qiong Hai King's words were the most impartial.
"Looking at Central Earth, in terms of formations, who can surpass Wan Xing and Fang Xia?" Qiong Hai King's words didn't stop.
"Zhao Xing, are you leading the formation? Do you think you're better than Wan Xing?" Qiong Hai King stared at Zhao Xing.
The others remained silent, also looking at Zhao Xing.
Zhao Xing showed a bitter smile, unwilling to engage in the conversation.
He was very confident.
But to say he was better than Wan Xing Dao Ren? Naturally, he wasn't sure.
"Everyone, please express your opinions." Qiong Hai King's gaze swept across everyone.
"Jin Ji, can't your father join the battle?" Rong Yue, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.
"He's in seclusion and can't come out." Jin Ji said.
"Then hand over the formation disk and let Wan Xing Dao Ren take charge." Rong Yue said slowly, "It's not that we want to covet your treasure, but it's a matter of life and death for Central Earth."
"Yes!" Niu Hao, with disheveled hair, nodded slightly.
"Friends Qiong Hai and Rong Yue make valid points." Extreme North King said in a low voice, "Jin Ji, hand it over. If this battle goes smoothly, we will naturally return the treasure to you."
At this point, besides Jin Ji, Zhao Xing, and Hai Fei Zhang, the other ten peak powerhouses had reached a consensus!
Jin Ji's face had become extremely ugly.
"Alright!"
"I'll hand over the formation disk." Jin Ji gritted his teeth, "But please, friends, ensure that the formation will be returned after the battle."
...As time passed, the peak powerhouses of Central Earth quickly made a decision.
The Seven Star Profound Flame Formation would be formed by Wan Xing Dao Ren, Dong Pan Great Emperor, Niu Hao, Zhao Xing, Hai Fei Zhang, Rong Yue, and Jin Ji.
The Golden Stone Five Elements Formation would be formed by Fang Xia, Extreme North King, North Li, Liu Junhang, and Wu Hanning, who was at the sixth level of the Qi Sea.
Only Qi Refiners could form a formation.
...
"Master, how was my performance just now?" Qiong Hai King's deep voice resonated in Wu Yuan's mind.
"Not bad!" Wu Yuan responded with a smile.
Just now, it was Wu Yuan who centrally coordinated, letting Qiong Hai King and Fang Xia perform a duet, rallying the various forces in Central Earth to exert pressure on the Great Jin faction.
Forcing them to have no choice but to relinquish control of the Seven Star Profound Flame Formation.
This is the reason why Wu Yuan has always kept his relationship with Qiong Hai King hidden.
Qiong Hai King is like a hidden blade in the dark, able to play a crucial role at critical moments!
After ending the communication with Qiong Hai King.
"The two formations, the Seven Star Profound Flame Formation is overall more balanced, while the Golden Stone Five Elements Formation has a more terrifying attack." Wu Yuan muttered, "But both are enough to compete with Nascent Soul cultivators."
This battle will rely on formations!
"However, concerning the survival of Central Earth, Jin Quan is unwilling to come out even if he has to give up control of the Seven Star Profound Flame Formation?" Wu Yuan frowned slightly.
He harbored a certain fear towards this unseen Emperor Jin.
A powerhouse who has shaken Central Earth for two hundred years.
"He may have ulterior motives, but in any case, it won't lead to the destruction of Central Earth." Wu Yuan shook his head slightly.
Compared to Jin Quan.
The real threat is the Insect Demon!
"The Insect Demon must be killed. In this battle, the two formations are the main force. I cannot intervene in matters of formations."
"But as Qi Refiners are not adept at defense, powerful Body Refiners like me and Qiong Hai will also play a significant role in the decisive battle." Wu Yuan sat cross-legged on the jade platform, a strand of divine consciousness staying in the Central Earth Immortal Palace.
All remaining energy was devoted to cultivation.
"Continue cultivating."
"I have just stepped into the Third Realm of the Nascent Soul." Wu Yuan thought silently, "Wanting a substantial breakthrough in cultivation? Impossible!"
The cultivation of life force could only be done step by step, and Wu Yuan couldn't speed it up.
"Magical treasures?"
"I have the Witch Soldier Armor and the Eighth-grade spiritual weapon battle knife crafted by Fang Xia for me." Wu Yuan thought to himself, "Stronger magical treasures? I can't obtain them, and even if I had more, I wouldn't be able to use them properly."
"Want to greatly improve my strength in a short period?"
"Firstly, it's the Teng Snake." Wu Yuan sensed the Teng Snake egg in the divine palace, continuously devouring life force.
It had been nurturing for over a year.
If it weren't for nurturing the Teng Snake, Wu Yuan would probably be close to entering the Fourth Realm of the Nascent Soul by now.
However, as the main Witch Beast, once the Teng Snake is born, it will cause a significant increase in Wu Yuan's strength.
But when it would be born exactly?
Wu Yuan didn't know.
"It should be soon." Wu Yuan sensed the extremely active life force within the Teng Snake egg and thought, "Hopefully, it will be born before the decisive battle."
"Secondly, it's the Domain Realm." Wu Yuan quietly sensed the mysteries of the earth, containing the vast power of heaven and earth.
After several years of cultivation.
Wu Yuan's understanding of the 'Mysteries of the Earth' was already profound, and he was only one step away from reaching the Domain Realm, like a thin layer of window paper that could be pierced at any moment.
However, breaking through the bottleneck was also the most difficult.
...
As time passed, inside the Central Earth Immortal Palace.
One by one, top-ranked experts kept appearing, continuously seeking out East Pangu Emperor, Wan Xing Dao Ren, and Fang Xia to discuss and devise solutions.
The three of them had gradually become the leaders of the entire Central Earth.
If Jin Quan had come, he would have been equally qualified.
Unfortunately, at the critical moment of Central Earth's survival, he chose to remain in seclusion.
Of course.
Wu Yuan appeared to be an onlooker, but in reality, he had been communicating with Fang Xia. Based on their discussions and his own intelligence, he continuously provided suggestions.
Three hours passed.
The top experts gathered in the Central Earth Immortal Palace, reaching an astonishing number of 'seventy.'
For many of the top experts, Wu Yuan was meeting them for the first time.
Clearly.
It wasn't just Wu Yuan and Wan Xing Dao Ren who were willing to contribute. Faced with such a calamity, many hidden top experts or Qi Sea initial-stage cultivators from various forces chose to step forward and join the battle.
...
Inside the meeting hall, seventy top-ranked experts gathered.
"Fellow Daoists."
East Pangu Emperor stood in the center and said solemnly, "Firstly, I want to announce that so far, seventy top-ranked experts have volunteered to join the battle!"
"Seventy top-ranked experts represent the pinnacle of Central Earth over thousands of years."
"Never before has there been such a gathering of top-ranked experts."
"However, we also need to acknowledge that this battle is destined to be extremely difficult." East Pangu Emperor said with gravity, "Among us, many fellow Daoists will inevitably die."
All the top-ranked experts listened silently.
Most of those gathered were human powerhouses, but there were also many Celestial Demons. Old grudges were set aside as they united to fight for the fate of Central Earth.
"For the past two hours, friends from the West, South, Holy, and the Temple of the Wilderness in the Wilderness Region have successively informed me of the current situation in the Wilderness, and we have recorded it with the Light and Shadow Technique." East Pangu Emperor continued, "I have selected two representative projections for you all to see."
Swish~ In the air above the meeting hall, two light screens simultaneously appeared.
On the light screens, different scenes were displayed.
Wu Yuan and others looked up.
On the first light screen, a lush mountain range suddenly trembled, and a large number of wild beasts crazily fled along the line of the mountains.
"This is a mountain range in the northern part of the Wilderness." East Pangu Emperor added.
Soon, a large and massive black-scaled beast with double wings appeared in the light screen, plunging towards the earth. Its wings were like formidable blades, howling through the land.
Countless beasts turned into flesh and blood.
Finally.
"Roar~" The enormous black-scaled beast with double wings suddenly opened its mouth, releasing an invisible devouring force. Countless beast corpses and flesh on the ground flew up and were directly swallowed up by it!
"Roar!" The beast roared, its double wings turning into two streaks of light, flying towards the distance!
The scene in the first light screen concluded.
"It's exactly the same as what Senior Wan Liu described." East Pangu Emperor said, "These demonic soldiers, with their massive size, are used to devour flesh and blood. They hunt like predators. After collecting enough flesh and blood, they will be sent to the demonic lair!"
All the top experts became more somber.
A large amount of flesh and blood being sent back to the demonic lair would accelerate the growth of the Insect Demons.
It would nurture more demonic soldiers.
"Let's see the second projection." East Pangu Emperor continued.
All the top experts looked again.
"This?" Wu Yuan's pupils slightly contracted.
The content of the second light screen projection was very simple. It showed a black-scaled beast, over forty meters long, madly chasing and killing humans in a mountainous tribe, swallowing them one by one.
Roars!
Pained wails!
Limb fragments splattering, blood splattered.
This scene made all the top experts grit their teeth, their anger almost bursting out of their eyes. Even many Celestial Demons furrowed their brows.
However, it was the final part of the projection that left all the top experts horrified.
After devouring hundreds of people, the over forty-meter-long black-scaled beast suddenly rolled and roared in the village.
Buildings collapsed.
"Hissing~"
A pair of wings suddenly grew from its back. The black-scaled beast struggled to pull them out, and its body rapidly expanded!
In just two breaths.
Its size grew from over forty meters to over eighty meters, with a pair of wings spanning nearly two hundred meters!
"Roar!" The newly transformed black-scaled beast roared, flying towards the sky and disappearing quickly.
The second light screen projection ended.
"A breakthrough?"
"It grew so fast?" Many top experts discussed, their expressions becoming extremely unpleasant.
"Fellow Daoists." East Pangu Emperor said solemnly, "This is something that Senior Wan Liu did not mention in the intelligence. Those larvae demonic soldiers, when devouring flesh and blood, undergo rapid growth and can quickly reach the Profound Communication Realm."
"The only good news is that demonic soldiers entering the Profound Communication Realm seem unable to grow simply by devouring flesh and blood." East Pangu Emperor said.
"The larvae demonic soldiers in the demonic lair! How many?"
"Too many!"
"If we let those larvae demonic soldiers continue to kill, how many true demonic soldiers will be born?" Many top experts discussed, and many of them showed expressions of unwillingness and anger.
Wu Yuan's face also turned pale!
Indeed, the information provided by the Domain Lord did not mention this point.
After all, ordinary Prison Demons are very rare in the Great Realms, let alone Insect Demons.
It can be said that the intelligence in the hands of the Domain Lord is not known to be the first or second-hand information, so some omissions are normal.
But this piece of information is too terrible.
It completely disrupted all the original plans!
Profound Communication Realm demonic soldiers, there don't seem to be many in the demonic lair. There were only about a dozen in the first wave.
But what about the juvenile demonic insects? A hundred? A thousand? Ten thousand?
Unimaginable!
"What if those countless juvenile demonic soldiers all transform into Profound Communication Realm demonic soldiers?" Just thinking about it made Wu Yuan feel a chill in his heart.
Profound Communication Realm demonic soldiers overwhelming the land.
Even if their individual strength is only at the first level of the Profound Communication Realm, when the numbers accumulate to a certain extent, it becomes extremely terrifying.
Moreover, with a massive number of Profound Communication Realm demonic soldiers devouring and growing, it's likely that they will quickly transform into more Spiritual Body Realm demonic soldiers.
Let's not say anything else.
As long as there are ten Spiritual Body Realm demonic soldiers, the cultivation world of the Central Earth doesn't stand a chance, and defeat is inevitable!
"No wonder the Celestial Scroll says that any demonic insect, once born, will be a nightmare for many worlds." Wu Yuan's eyes slightly reddened.
He realized.
Time!
The time left for the Central Earth is really not much.
"Dear fellow Daoists."
"I believe you have all understood the significance of the rapid growth and transformation of juvenile demonic soldiers." East Pangu Emperor's voice was heavy. "Although there are few people in the population of the Wilderness Province, there are still tens of millions of people, not to mention countless beasts and creatures in the surrounding sea area."
"The transformation of juvenile demonic soldiers is not so fast. They must first grow to a length of over forty meters before they can transform. The required flesh and blood is also extremely vast."
"However, if we let these demonic soldiers continue to devour, maybe a month later, we will face hundreds or even thousands of Profound Communication Realm demonic soldiers."
"We can't delay any longer."
"We can't give the Insect Demons any more time to grow."
"Therefore, after discussing with me, Fellow Daoist Fang Xia, Senior Wan Liu, and other great cultivators." East Pangu Emperor swept his gaze over all the top experts. "I, Fellow Daoist Niu Hao, Senior Wan Liu... Fellow Daoist Wu Hanno, and others, twelve in total, will do our best to familiarize ourselves with the formation as quickly as possible!"
"Once the formation rehearsal is completed, all the top experts will be gathered to enter the Insect Demon's lair and start the final battle!"
"However, before the formation rehearsal is completed."
"Fellow Daoist Qiong Hai and Fellow Daoist Shan Mo will lead fifty-eight top experts to enter the Wilderness Province first, clearing out juvenile demonic soldiers and solitary demonic soldiers, and slowing down the growth of the Insect Demons." East Pangu Emperor said, "Do any fellow Daoists have any objections?"
In the meeting hall, only the voice of East Pangu Emperor echoed.
No one raised any objections.
All the top experts had a determined look in their eyes.
"Well then, for the sake of the Central Earth, let's set out." East Pangu Emperor said slowly.
...
In the underground of the Yunsan Jade Chamber.
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!
Wu Yuan, Fang Xia, Huan Jian, and Bu Yu successively opened their eyes, each standing up from the jade platform.
"In this battle, the three of you will go to the Wilderness Province first." Fang Xia said solemnly.
"Ancestral Master, since becoming a top expert, I haven't had a battle yet," Huan Jian laughed. "Being able to fight against demonic soldiers is exhilarating enough."
"We'll go first," Bu Yu also smiled. "But the final battle will still rely on you, Ancestral Master."
Fang Xia nodded slightly.
The four cultivators who would jointly practice the formation with him would gather at Yunsan.
So, he would wait here all the time.
"These are the spiritual weapons I refined for you. They are all quite rough. I originally planned to wait for the underground fire to stabilize before slowly refining them. It seems there's no time now," Fang Xia sighed and waved his hand.
Three streams of light flew towards Wu Yuan, Bu Yu, and Huan Jian.
The three of them each grabbed one.
"Alright, time is pressing. If you need to meet anyone or handle anything, go quickly," Fang Xia said. "Once done, immediately rush to the Wilderness Province. The sooner you participate in the battle, the sooner you kill a demonic soldier, and our chances of victory will increase."
"Also, remember, don't be reckless. If you encounter an enemy you can't defeat, retreat and seek help within the Central Earth Immortal Palace."
"Go," Fang Xia said.
"Yes!"
The three nodded, simultaneously transforming into streams of light and rushing out of the jade chamber.
...
In a flash, Wu Yuan arrived above the Yunsan Prefecture city, overlooking it. Everything still appeared peaceful.
Lively and bustling.
There were street vendors traversing the streets and alleys, shop assistants warmly greeting customers, children playing and laughing, and young people diligently practicing on the martial arts field.
Everything was so beautiful.
"This is the human world I yearn for."
Wu Yuan smiled faintly, descended quickly, and silently landed in a vast courtyard.
"Wu Mansion." Wu Yuan's gaze swept in all directions.
Compared to several years ago, the current Wu Mansion appeared even more elegant with its pavilions and courtyards.
Hum!
The light twisted, and with one step, Wu Yuan arrived in a courtyard several hundred meters away. In the distance, in a pavilion, a group of girls were playing and laughing.
A noblewoman was being surrounded and seated on a stone bench.
"Mother." Wu Yuan couldn't help but reveal a smile.
Since his younger sister focused on martial arts, his mother, Wan Qin, had taken in some orphaned girls and raised them under her care.
"This time, it's the child's unfilial conduct." Wu Yuan kneeled on both knees and kowtowed three times towards Wan Qin, showing deep respect in her direction.
Without anyone noticing.
Wu Yuan didn't disturb his mother.
No need.
"In this battle, once Fang Xia and the others have practiced the formation, it will be the decisive battle. It may take as short as three or four days or as long as six or seven days to know the result. If we can win, there's no need to let Mother worry."
"If this battle cannot be won, then the Insect Demons will sweep across the Central Earth for some years. There's no need to let Mother know the truth. It's better to live in peace for a while longer."
As for his sister?
Wu Yuan's divine sense swept through, confirming his sister's safety. After a brief thought, there was no need to disturb her any further.
"It's time to go!"
Wu Yuan didn't hesitate anymore. His entire body soared into the sky, swiftly heading towards the direction of the Wilderness Province.
The Wilderness Province was in the southwest of the continent, tens of thousands of miles away from Jiangzhou.
...
Wuzhou.
"Now, the top experts from all over the world have gathered, converging in the Wilderness Province," Sang Gu's gaze swept over the two top experts before him.
"This calamity was caused by our Wilderness Temple."
"The temple now only has a few of us top experts left. Whether for revenge or to make amends for our mistakes, we must take the initiative in this battle; it is an obligation," Sang Gu said slowly.
"Let's go!"
...
Northern Province, the northernmost region!
In the icy and snowy landscape.
"Remember, the three of you at the Sea of Qi Intermediate Stage will patrol and kill demonic soldiers individually." The Extreme North King looked at the five figures in front of him. "The two of you with the weakest strength, work together to kill the enemy."
"In this battle, for yourselves, for the Extreme North Alliance, and even more so for the Central Earth."
"After the battle, I hope we can all return alive to the Alliance's sacred mountain." The Extreme North King said solemnly. "Go!"
"Yes!"
The five top experts turned into streaks of light, quickly disappearing into the sky.
"Bei Li, we should also head to Yunsan now. Don't delay," the Extreme North King looked at the man with black long hair beside him and smiled. "We brothers unite the North, and now that top experts from all over the world are gathered, we can't afford to lose face."
"Yeah." Bei Li nodded gently.
In this battle with uncertain outcomes, Bei Li had never hesitated, always following his elder brother.
The two of them, life and death together.
The two Sea of Qi high-level experts from the Extreme North Alliance swiftly headed south.
...
Dongzhou.
"Haha."
"Having lived for more than four hundred years, I, Wan Xing, finally couldn't take that step, just living for more than four hundred years." Daoist Wan Xing looked down at the bustling city below.
This was the place he had guarded for over four hundred years.
"Let's go!"
Daoist Wan Xing and Liu Junxing headed towards Shengzhou, while several other top experts from the Qunxing Tower quickly went towards the Wilderness Province.
...
South Sea, in the vast sea area.
"Three brothers." King Qionghai had a huge body, sitting like a small mountain, overlooking three equally massive celestial demons in front of him.
"Haha! It's time."
"I, King Qionghai, don't have much to say. Over these hundreds of years, we've enjoyed prosperity together."
"Now, it's time to suffer together."
"The human race is racing ahead." King Qionghai's voice echoed through the heavens and earth. "We can't fall behind; let's kill more demonic soldiers to give our celestial demons some face."
"Haha, big brother, what's there to fear about demons? We are demons ourselves," the Mountain Demon King, resembling a giant tortoise, said with a laugh. "Since ancient times, demons and monsters are one family. Humans fear demons, but we don't."
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
The four great celestial demons quickly headed from the South Sea towards the Wilderness Province.
...
In the Eastern Wulin Calendar year 3231, May 9th.
On this day.
Fifty-eight top experts, from the Northern Province, from Yanzhou, from Dongzhou, from Qiongzhou... from family homes with many descendants, from deep mountain forests, from unfathomable sea regions... almost simultaneously set out!
Their departure points were different.
But the destination was the same — the Wilderness Province!
They had different temperaments, growth experiences, ages, and even came from different races, but today, they shared a unified identity — pioneers!
For the decisive battle for the fate of Central Earth! Pioneers!
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 153: Overwhelming in All Directions
Inside the Central Earth Immortal Palace, in the conference hall.
A massive three-dimensional projection had appeared in mid-air. It was an extra-large map projection, displaying the entire Central Earth.
At the same time, on the map projection, there were numerous green dots, each accompanied by a numerical label.
Dozens of green dots were steadily moving in the direction of the Wilderness Province.
Seventy top experts sat around in the hall, maintaining their presence through avatars using their 'Divine Senses,' a capability possessed by Qi Refiners. At such a crucial moment, the Martial Ancestors were naturally fully supporting the operation of the Central Earth Immortal Palace.
"Fellow Daoists."
"As you enter the Immortal Palace, if you are willing to release the suppression on the Palace Jade, we can roughly determine your positions on the Central Earth continent through the Palace Jade," Emperor Dong Pan spoke solemnly.
"At the same time, I have granted authorization to all fellow Daoists."
"You can use the Palace Jade to create a projection of the surrounding area within the Immortal Palace!"
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Several top experts simultaneously formed a light screen above their heads. Scenes within the light screens changed rapidly, indicating their high-speed movement.
Gradually.
More top experts started having light screen projections above their heads.
Revealing the scenes they were currently experiencing to all the top experts.
"The demonic beasts can sense each demonic soldier. Although countless demonic soldiers appear dispersed, they are, in fact, a cohesive whole, making it easy for them to surround us," Emperor Dong Pan said, "We can only communicate with each other through the Central Earth Immortal Palace."
Many top experts nodded in agreement.
"Holographic projection, maintaining omnidirectional contact without time lag through Divine Sense, on the ground, underground, or in the ocean," Wu Yuan sighed in his heart.
This was more impressive than the fully virtualized meta-universe!
In the meta-universe, there was a delay over long distances.
"And this is just some basic method of the Divine Illusion Realm," Wu Yuan thought, "According to the Immortal Records, some of the top-notch Divine Illusion Realm practitioners can achieve instant communication even across numerous temporal and spatial worlds, which is incredibly miraculous."
The Divine Illusion Realm was the realm of the Divine Soul!
"The true path to immortality is by no means a group of ascetics meditating in the wild mountains and forests, relying on 'Heaven's' favor to get by," Wu Yuan thought.
Letting go of these thoughts.
"We're almost at the Wilderness Province," Wu Yuan sprinted across the earth, comparing the green dots and the map projection through the Central Earth Immortal Palace.
He could clearly judge his own position: "I should be among the first to arrive in the Wilderness Province."
...
"When you fifty-eight top experts enter the Wilderness Province, the map projection will shrink to focus on the Wilderness Province, eventually narrowing to a diameter of twenty thousand miles, forming a circular 'Demon Zone,'" Emperor Dong Pan continued to explain, "By then, the map of your positions will be much clearer."
"According to the intelligence from Senior Wan Liu, demonic soldiers usually don't stray far from the demonic beasts for thousands of miles."
"So."
"In the center of the Demon's Lair, within a range of five hundred miles outward and ten thousand miles inward, the areas you've swept with your Divine Senses will be marked in white."
"After sweeping twice, it will be marked in yellow."
"Once you encounter 'Transcendent Realm Demon Soldiers,' your own green dot will turn red, signaling the surrounding top experts to immediately communicate and guide them to your rescue!"
"If you encounter Lingering Body Realm Demon Soldiers, escape immediately!"
"Everyone!"
"Without hesitation, starting from the outermost perimeter of the Wilderness Province, cover every inch without leaving any blind spots. Move at the fastest speed, patrolling and exterminating the outer demon soldiers as thoroughly as possible."
"After the completion of the two grand formations, we will immediately siege the central five hundred miles area and, in the end, advance into the Demon's Lair."
Many top experts listened silently.
Without the Central Earth Immortal Palace, they would be like headless flies, easily manipulated and defeated by the Demon manipulating the demon soldiers in the dark.
With the Central Earth Immortal Palace.
Sharing information in real-time, the cultivators of the Central Earth had the power to fight!
Whether it was a war between mortal kingdoms or battles among immortals, intelligence information was crucial.
...
"Wilderness Province!" Wu Yuan took long strides, soaring like lightning, jumping thousands of meters into the air, then descending rapidly.
Moving like lightning.
Crossing over tall mountains, traversing great rivers, the peaks becoming higher, countless ancient trees towering, with only some winding paths.
"Wilderness Province is vast, and the designated demon zone area only covers about one-fourth of the Wilderness Province," Wu Yuan flashed this thought in his mind.
...
"Ashore!" King Qiong Hai roared.
Boom! Boom! Boom! The seawater surged, and the fishermen who had just returned home at the shore witnessed a breathtaking scene.
With a thunderous sound, a gigantic green-scaled dragon, over sixty yards in length, soared out of the sea and headed towards the depths of the mainland.
Hoo!
A mountain-sized giant black turtle flew out of the deep sea.
...
Time passed, within the Central Earth Immortal Palace.
"I have entered the demon zone; I am starting the patrol!" A figure in a black robe suddenly spoke in a low voice.
"It's Meng Geng; he's in the Western Province."
"The first to enter the demon zone," many top experts looked over. The Western Province borders the Wilderness Province, so naturally, he arrived quickly.
"I have also entered the demon zone," a somewhat eerie voice sounded, belonging to a giant blood snake.
"Blood Snake King."
"It was already a powerful force in the Wilderness Province."
As time passed, one after another, top experts began to enter the Wilderness Province, delving into the 'demon zone' designated by the Central Earth Immortal Palace, starting their patrols.
The top experts who had arrived now were either local powerhouses in the Wilderness Province or formidable individuals from the Western, Southern, and Holy Provinces.
These three provinces were the closest to the Wilderness Province.
Suddenly.
"I have entered the demon zone," a somewhat calm voice sounded, instantly capturing the attention of many top experts.
"Wu Yuan?"
"Him? So fast? Wasn't he supposed to depart from Jiangzhou?"
"Wu Yuan's speed of arrival is even faster than Black Snake King, Fu Xin Xia, and Jiang Yi." Many top experts were shocked.
Everyone was fully focused on their journey, and the movement of the dots on the map was not conspicuous.
Therefore, not many people noticed Wu Yuan just now.
"Jiangzhou is more than sixty thousand miles away from the demon zone in the Wilderness Province! Even if Wu Yuan rushed immediately, his speed of travel reached fifty miles per breath."
"What! Fifty miles per breath? Sustained for a long time?"
"Even the sixth level of Qi Sea would find it challenging to maintain such a travel speed."
"Did he really just become a top expert?"
"Could it be that Senior Wan Liu took him along?" Many top experts speculated.
It's worth noting that although Wu Yuan entered the Central Earth Immortal Palace, he was just over twenty years old. In the minds of all top experts, he was still a junior and didn't receive much attention.
And now?
Just this travel speed alone was enough to shock many top experts.
With such speed, would he be weak in other aspects?
At least from this moment forward, many top experts didn't dare to regard Wu Yuan as a little guy who had just stepped into the Transcendent Realm.
...
As the sun set, the remaining sunlight spilled over the towering mountains.
"We, dozens of top experts, will patrol the demon zone first. Other top experts might have a slow patrol speed." Wu Yuan thought to himself.
Patrol with their eyes?
That's just one aspect.
Vision can easily be obstructed, especially in the continuous mountain ranges of the Wilderness Province. Moreover, demon soldiers can completely choose to travel underground.
Therefore, Divine Sense exploration is equally important!
"Other top experts may have a Divine Sense range of only a few hundred meters." Wu Yuan's Divine Sense spread out, "But what about mine? I can sense within a radius of over ten miles."
In recent years, Wu Yuan's Divine Sense had been growing rapidly through diligent cultivation.
And Wu Yuan's running speed on the ground was equally rapid!
"In this direction, no top expert has explored." Through the map projection in the Central Earth Immortal Palace, Wu Yuan quickly chose a direction to start patrolling.
...
Fifteen minutes later, inside a canyon.
"Rumble~" like a mountain collapse and earth shattering, countless soils were flying.
Swish! Swish!
Two black-scaled exotic beasts, each over thirty meters in size, were escaping from the canyon at an astonishing speed. Countless boulders were flying everywhere, and the mud on both sides collapsed into the canyon.
Boom!
A yellow stream of light passed through, heading straight for them.
"Roar~" One of the black-scaled exotic beasts just reacted, opening its blood basin and fiercely biting into the air!
"Bang!"
The yellow figure crashed into its mouth, directly piercing through its head. Countless blood and scales splattered.
The massive body fell to the ground.
"Swoosh!" Another flash of blade light passed through, and the other panicking black-scaled exotic beast had its massive head thrown into the air.
Two young demon bugs, dead!
"These young demon soldiers have strength comparable to top experts, and the powerful ones can match Grandmasters." Wu Yuan's eyes revealed a killing intent. "Ordinary civilians can't stand a chance."
Entering the demon zone, just fifteen minutes.
With Wu Yuan's astonishing speed, he has already covered over a thousand miles of area. This is the seventh and eighth infant demon soldiers he's hunting.
He has seen many human villages that were attacked, with broken walls and remnants, extremely tragic.
There are also a large number of slaughtered beasts.
These scenes make the killing intent in Wu Yuan's heart even more intense.
"Phew! Phew!" With a thought, Wu Yuan shattered the skulls and flesh of two demon soldiers with two magic crystals, which flew into his palms.
"These magic crystals are actually high-energy crystals, similar to source stones." Wu Yuan muttered to himself, "Hmm, the energy contained alone can match middle-grade source stones of the same volume."
According to the fairy records, source stones are roughly divided into low-grade, middle-grade, and top-grade!
In the past, the source stones commonly used by cultivators in Central Earth belonged to the 'low-grade.'
And what top experts referred to as premium source stones belonged to the 'middle-grade.'
As for top-grade source stones?
At least, in recent years, Wu Yuan has not seen any on Central Earth.
The harvest of magic crystals is nothing to Wu Yuan.
"Just like before, though, killing ordinary lives, the Black Tower no longer releases the blood-red mist." Wu Yuan shook his head slightly.
Before becoming a warlock, even with a single-arm punch exceeding a million kilograms, the blood-red mist could hardly merge back into the flesh.
So, after exhausting the blood-red mist, Wu Yuan no longer replenished it.
And during the more than a year of becoming a warlock.
Wu Yuan had secretly taken action to eliminate bandits in the Jiangzhou region. However, to his disappointment, the blood-red mist no longer appeared in the Black Tower...
At that time, he speculated whether it was because of the significant difference in strength between him and the bandits.
However, how many top experts were there in Central Earth?
There was no place to verify this.
Therefore, for more than a year, Wu Yuan has not used the blood-red mist for cultivation.
"Moreover, I don't know if transforming into a warlock, the blood-red mist in the Black Tower still has any effect, can still strengthen the body?" Wu Yuan muttered.
He didn't know.
But, you have to try to know.
The wonders of the blood-red mist, Wu Yuan had already experienced. He wouldn't easily give up.
Now, even though his Divine Soul is comparable to the Golden Core Realm, Wu Yuan cannot fully understand the mysteries of the Black Tower.
"These infant demon soldiers are being manipulated by that demon bug behind them. It can sense the presence of every demon soldier." Wu Yuan's eyes were cold. "By killing them, that demon bug will definitely know."
"I don't believe I won't encounter those Transcendent Realm demon soldiers."
"Kill!"
"For Transcendent Realm demon soldiers, each one killed will significantly reduce the resistance in the decisive battle." Wu Yuan's killing intent soared. "Maybe, it can contribute to my cultivation! I hope to encounter demon soldiers, the stronger, the better!"
The strength of demon soldiers varies.
But even Transcendent Ninefold level demon soldiers are only comparable in strength to Transcendent Ninefold strong cultivators in terms of strength.
And demon soldiers have no magical weapons! They don't use source techniques! So, their overall strength is much weaker than Transcendent Ninefold strong cultivators.
As for Wu Yuan? He seems to be only Transcendent Triple, but in terms of basic strength, he's stronger than Transcendent Ninefold demon soldiers!
This is just the foundation, without considering magical weapons and source techniques.
Wu Yuan's strength may not be the strongest in the world, but it definitely belongs to the most pinnacle ranks on Central Earth.
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
"Even if I encounter Transcendent Realm demon soldiers, I'll fight them." Wu Yuan held a war knife, patrolling in the endless darkness.
Galloping across the land.
Divine sense sweeping in all directions! He discovered one infant demon soldier after another!
Slaughter!
Not one escaped his blade!
...
After the first top expert entered the demon zone for two hours.
Night fell in a desolate mountain.
"Kill!" Accompanied by a overwhelming green light, countless trees collapsed, and soil and stones flew.
Three infant demon soldiers, each over twenty meters in size, roared as their heads were pierced by the green light, stumbling and falling.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! The demon crystals in the heads of the infant demon soldiers quickly flew up.
"Search for the next one." A vigorous figure in a robe of intense green soared into the sky, patrolling the area below.
...
"A total of more than one hundred and sixty infant demon soldiers have been slain."
"Excellent!"
"No wonder East Radiance Bo is at the Qi Sea Sixth Layer, impressive! The killing is decisive and clean."
"The plan of those who went on patrol first is effective." Inside the Central Earth Immortal Palace, many top experts whispered.
At the beginning, the number of demon soldiers found by the top experts was not too many.
However, as time passed, out of the fifty-eight top experts who went on patrol first, more than forty had entered the demon zone.
The search efficiency naturally skyrocketed.
"However, the fastest in killing is still Fellow Daoist Wu Yuan."
"One hundred and sixty infant demon soldiers, with over seventy killed by him alone, the efficiency is truly astonishing."
"Really formidable." Many top experts couldn't help but look at the distant figure in a white robe, sitting with closed eyes.
At first glance, he seems inconspicuous.
But in the projection above his head, even though it is night, there is fresh blood splattering every now and then.
Infant demon soldiers are dying.
Including those that are over forty meters long and could potentially transform into true demon soldiers, all were killed by him.
"In the dark, other top experts can't see too far, which greatly affects the search efficiency."
"But Fellow Daoist Wu Yuan seems to be able to ignore the influence of the night."
"Is it because of his strong Divine sense?"
"No! It's probably because he has a detection treasure bestowed by Senior Wan Liu. He is, after all, Senior Wan Liu's direct disciple."
"In terms of killing efficiency, even King Qionghai can't match him." Many top experts were completely impressed and awed by Wu Yuan.
Crazy slaughter!
Wu Yuan's efficiency in exploration and killing alone is equivalent to the combined efforts of twenty top experts, which is truly astonishing.
Even if there is suspicion that Wu Yuan possesses treasures.
But treasures also require sufficient strength to exert their effects! At this point,
Simply from the combat scenes revealed in the light screen, no top expert considers Wu Yuan as a lower-level Transcendent Realm weakling.
In the minds of many, Wu Yuan's strength is definitely comparable to those at the Qi Sea Sixth and Seventh Layers.
They believe that, looking at the entire Central Earth, Wu Yuan's strength is sufficient to rank in the top twenty.
...
Southern region of the Desolate Province.
In the vast underground world, dozens of kilometers deep, formed by the tearing of the earth, is a broad and dark underground world.
Here, the ground is covered with slippery black substances, spreading throughout the entire underground world.
Countless black-scaled exotic beasts roam in the darkness.
At the center of this dark world.
Is a massive black sphere with a diameter of over six hundred meters, and the surface of the sphere is covered with countless intricate black runes.
On both sides of the sphere, two massive black-scaled exotic beasts, each over three hundred meters long, guard it, and their two pairs of wings have completely turned 'blood red.'
At the same time.
Boom! Boom! Boom! A large number of infant demon soldiers, each less than ten meters long, are constantly sending large amounts of flesh and blood into the sphere.
Inside the sphere is a dense nest of translucent eggs, hanging in the walls or cavities like a beehive!
Clearly visible inside the eggs are black-scaled exotic beasts, each about one meter long, rapidly absorbing nutrients and growing through peculiar channels.
And at the core of this massive sphere.
Is a black light sphere with a diameter of about ten meters. The surface of the light sphere emits a faint and brilliant glow, no longer having the disgusting, bloody smell from the outside.
Instead, there is a sense of sanctity!
Without detailed information, who could have thought that the bloodthirsty and destructive insect demon's true form is a gigantic light sphere?
At this moment.
"A group of lowly crawling creatures!"
"Dare to slaughter my warriors?"
"A weak ruined world even dares to defy the great Lord Xeoth three times over!" In an instant, countless mysterious fluctuations intertwined within the light sphere, appearing extremely angry.
Over the past few hundred years, due to the repeated obstruction of the God Temple in the Desolate Province, its growth rate has been greatly reduced.
Just as it finally began to devour flesh and blood in large quantities and grow rapidly, it was once again blocked? Hundreds of infant demon soldiers were killed, causing significant losses.
Through the invisible and mysterious spiritual connection.
"Kill!"
"First-tier demon soldiers, gather and encircle, kill all these crawling creatures." Orders were issued from the interior of the light sphere.
In Wu Yuan's immortal document intelligence, the insect demon is unique, and countless demon soldiers do not have independent consciousness.
They are just puppets of the insect demon.
However, in reality, the insect demon can indeed descend into any demon soldier, take over its consciousness, but it does not mean that the demon soldiers have no autonomy!
Under its command, there are thousands of demon soldiers.
To finely manipulate each demon soldier?
Heavens! That's a nightmare!
Even with the noble bloodline and special spiritual power like the insect demon, it cannot be done, let alone a young insect demon still in its infancy.
It, only at critical moments, will descend its consciousness onto the demon soldiers.
Under normal circumstances, it only issues commands.
...
"Boom!" "Roar! Roar!"
In the core area of the demon zone, the earth tears apart, mountains collapse, and one by one, the originally dormant winged demon soldiers swiftly rush out from the depths of the earth.
Cultivators in Central Earth confirm each other's positions through the immortal palace.
These demon insects, however, naturally can sense each other. By the positions of the deceased infant demon soldiers, they quickly discern the approximate location of the enemy.
"Roar!"
"Roar!" "Roar!" Massive demon soldiers, wings spread wide, form groups of three, rushing frantically towards the outer periphery of the demon zone.
...
Inside the immortal palace in Central Earth.
Twelve advanced Qi Sea cultivators have all gathered in reality and begun to practice the formation method in an orderly manner.
However, they still allocate a bit of mental energy to maintain the immortal palace incarnation.
They are monitoring the battle situation in the Desolate Province demon zone.
Dozens of light screens!
Each light screen reveals scenes experienced by different top experts.
The central large map projection reveals the patrol areas and the locations of the top experts.
"Transcendent Realm demon soldiers appeared! They are not acting alone but cooperating in pairs or threes."
"Escape! Quickly escape!" Many participating top experts are highly vigilant, ready to fight or flee at any moment.
"Blood Snake King Daoist friend escaped."
"East Bo Guang Daoist friend escaped." As the time reached deep into the night, many top experts, after killing over three hundred demon soldiers,
Faced the first wave of counterattacks from the insect demon!
In almost every region.
Over forty Transcendent Realm demon soldiers simultaneously appeared, varying in strength, all fearless and working together to kill.
Forcing many top experts to start fleeing!
Obviously, after one or two days, the number of Transcendent Realm demon soldiers under the command of the insect demon has far exceeded the initial dozen or so that were revealed.
"Not good!"
A purple-robed old man sitting cross-legged on a jade platform suddenly changed his expression: "Fellow Daoists, save me! Come quickly to rescue me! I am facing six Transcendent Realm demon soldiers!"
"Go quickly!"
"Nearby top experts, hurry to save Gu Shan." East Pinnacle Emperor, who has been commanding all along, urged repeatedly.
Many top experts also nervously looked at the light screen above the purple-robed old man's head.
He is currently in a fierce battle with the demon soldiers!
The purple-robed old man is desperately fleeing, while the massive black-scaled exotic beasts are roaring and chasing.
In reality, many top experts are in action, following the guidance of the palace jade, rushing to the rescue.
But in just a breath.
"No!" Gu Shan suddenly screamed in agony, and then his incarnation in the immortal palace suddenly dissipated.
The light screen above his head also immediately dissipated!
He fell!
In the Central Earth cultivation world, in response to this calamity caused by the insect demon, the first top expert to fall appeared—Gu Shan!
This scene completely shook all the top experts.
This calamity has just begun.
They haven't even entered the lair of the insect demon yet!
But they have no time to mourn.
In less than ten breaths, inside the immortal palace.
"Seeking help!"
A figure in green suddenly changed his expression: "I've encountered five Transcendent Realm demon soldiers again, two of them have a body length exceeding two hundred meters! With wings!"
This statement caused the faces of all top experts to change.
Since fighting against the insect demon until now.
In the Central Earth cultivation world, information has been continuously collected and summarized.
Wingless represents infant demon soldiers, with a body length not exceeding fifty meters, and the closer to this length, the closer they are to transforming into true demon soldiers!
With wings represents Transcendent Realm demon soldiers. Among the dozens of Transcendent Realm demon soldiers that have appeared so far, having a body length of one hundred and eighty meters can unleash the power of Transcendent Realm Eighth Stage.
And now, a body length exceeding two hundred meters? With wings?
It's likely to unleash the power of Transcendent Realm Ninth Stage! And there are two of them!
A team of demon soldiers like this.
Ordinary top experts can't resist at all.
"I am eight thousand miles away from Fellow Daoist Meng Cai." The massive figure of King Qiong Hai spoke with a deep voice: "It will take more than a quarter of an hour to get there."
"I am four thousand miles away!" Mountain Demon King roared.
"I am five thousand miles away." Black Jiao King also shook his head.
Hearing this, Meng Cai felt a sense of despair. To block the joint attack of such terrifying five demon soldiers, at least one needs to be at the Seventh Stage of the Qi Sea Realm to have hope.
Among the fifty-seven participating top experts, there are very few with such strength.
Only King Qiong Hai and Mountain Demon King, both at the Eighth Stage of the Transcendent Realm, have absolute confidence.
"Meng Cai is done for."
"Damn demon soldiers."
"My strength is not enough, going there would be suicide." Other top experts were unwilling and sighed one by one.
The strength of this appearing group of demon soldiers is too strong. It requires a gathering of a group of top experts to have a chance of saving.
If the strength is weak, like being at the First or Second Stage of the Qi Sea Realm, blindly rushing up?
Purely seeking death!
"Fellow Daoist Meng Cai, hold on! Just one breath!" An urgent voice sounded.
Swoosh! Almost everyone turned their gazes simultaneously.
It's Wu Yuan!
"Just one breath, and I'll be there!" Wu Yuan's voice was resolute.
In the light screen above his head.
A dazzling earthy yellow figure, the speed has soared to an astonishing level, galloping on the endless dark earth.
"Wu Yuan's speed, one breath, can cover eighty miles!" East Pinnacle Emperor's deep voice sounded unbelieving.
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 154 Wu Yuan! Wu Yuan! (Seeking Subscriptions)
"One breath, eighty miles?"
"So fast?"
"Wu Yuan? Is his strength so strong?" Inside the Central Earth Immortal Palace, the words of Emperor Dong Pan left a group of top experts dumbfounded.
They all stared in shock at the fast-moving figure in the light screen.
These top experts found it hard to believe.
You must know that, normally, a Qi Sea Ninth Stage cultivator with a Ninth-grade foundation, flying at normal speed, can cover only sixty miles in one breath.
Of course, top experts like Emperor Dong Pan, Daoist Wan Xing, Niu Hao, and many other high-ranking Qi Sea cultivators mostly have Seventh or Eighth-grade foundations.
Even so, in terms of speed, most of them are not as fast as Wu Yuan!
"Elder Wan Liu must be extraordinary. In just a few years, he has cultivated such a powerful disciple?" Daoist Wan Xing secretly marveled.
Wu Yuan's strength eruption exceeded his imagination.
"Wu Yuan's strength is so strong?" Jin Ji stared at the light screen.
He hoped that Wu Yuan's strength was indeed this strong, making the hope of surviving this calamity greater, but at the same time, he hoped Wu Yuan's strength was not that strong.
"Young Master." Fang Xia also gazed at the light screen. Over the past few years, he had often sparred with Wu Yuan and knew Wu Yuan's strength the best.
Although these top experts were shocked and surprised, no one dared to disturb Wu Yuan.
"Escape!"
"Wu Yuan's strength is so strong? I can survive; I have hope of staying alive." Meng Cai howled in his heart, gritting his teeth to persist.
He saw a glimmer of hope for survival.
Time passed second by second.
"He's here! Wu Yuan is very close to Meng Cai now!" Emperor Dong Pan said in a deep voice, "They are about to meet."
At this moment.
All the top experts focused their attention on the light screen!
They wanted to witness this battle.
Is Wu Yuan really so powerful, with the certainty of surpassing the five great demon soldiers, or is he just bragging?
...
Although it was night, the light screen projection was not entirely simulated through 'light,' so it still clearly showed the terrifying silhouettes of five black-scaled winged monsters with a body length exceeding two hundred meters.
A total of five!
Especially the two leaders, with a body length exceeding two hundred meters, and their flying speed reached an astonishing sixty miles in one breath.
The three slightly smaller black-scaled winged monsters also had a body length exceeding one hundred and fifty meters.
Five Transcendent Realm demon soldiers!
Roaring, they attacked Meng Cai.
"Boom, rumble~" The terrifying speed caused an amazing spatial shock, making the earth and mountains tremble.
Meng Cai, dozens of miles away, saw these five demon soldiers.
He chose to flee at the first moment, but facing the pursuit of the five demon soldiers, especially the two most powerful ones, they were still getting closer!
In less than a breath.
The distance between the two sides was less than ten miles. In just two more seconds, Meng Cai would be caught up.
At this moment.
"Boom!" In the endless night, a figure burning with an earthy yellow light soared through the sky at an astonishing speed.
With one step, he covered several miles!
Stepping out, covering several miles in one stride!
With a foot landing, it created a large pit on the ground.
"Boom!" "Boom!" Wu Yuan stepped across the land.
Meng Cai flew through the sky.
The two of them passed each other in an instant.
"Wu Yuan, friend." Meng Cai only had time to transmit a message with his divine consciousness.
"Go!" Wu Yuan's divine consciousness transmitted a single word.
At this moment, in the Central Earth Immortal Palace, the light screen projection that originally belonged to Wu Yuan had been completely enlarged.
All the top experts could see it more clearly.
Wu Yuan had already met the five Transcendent Realm demon soldiers. Compared to those gigantic demon soldiers, he looked like a tiny speck.
"Can he win?" Everyone had the same thought in their minds.
This was one against five!
...One breath, six seconds.
Wu Yuan's running speed was equivalent to thirteen miles per second.
The two leading black-scaled winged monsters also had a flying speed of ten miles per second!
Both sides were approaching each other.
What an exaggerated relative speed! Equivalent to thirty-three times the speed of sound!
In the moment of crossing paths with Meng Cai, the battle knife in Wu Yuan's palm, infused with life force, had already manifested a earthy yellow glow!
Sharpness emphasized!
"Kill one more demon soldier! Reduce the difficulty of the decisive battle by one point!"
"Moreover, it's two demon soldiers with the possibility of evolving to the Spirit Body Realm?" Wu Yuan's eyes were cold. "Die, all of you!"
His bones and muscles erupted!
The power of heaven and earth enhanced him!
Boom! Wu Yuan's legs suddenly pushed off, and his entire body, like an arrow leaving the string, moved with invisible force, flying at high speed in mid-air.
The battle knife was raised high!
"Roar~"
The gigantic black-scaled winged monster roared, wings opened, covering the sky, and its massive body suddenly rotated. A faint black light appeared on the surface, and the wings, like double blades, twisted and swept towards Wu Yuan.
"Die!" Wu Yuan roared. His entire body was completely covered by an earthy yellow armor. He confronted the attack.
"Whoosh!"
A flash of earthy yellow knife light emerged, as if it could cut through space. It formed a terrifying blade shadow, swiftly slashing towards the formidable wings!
Instantaneous collision.
"Pong~" A sound as if the sky was collapsing and the earth was splitting.
The air shock resonated, and the visible shockwave instantly struck in all directions, lifting up layers of soil and rocks several meters thick!
The mountain-like black-scaled winged monster suddenly paused, and accompanied by the blade light passing through, one of its wings seemed to tear apart in the middle.
Countless blood splattered through the sky!
The black-scaled winged monster stumbled forward, but visibly, its wings began to recover.
"So tough!" Wu Yuan wounded the opponent's wing with a slash, instantly feeling a tremendous resistance, only creating a few meters long wound.
For a Transcendent Realm demon soldier at the Ninth Stage of the Transcendent Realm?
A minor injury!
Wu Yuan immediately understood that although demon soldiers didn't understand Source Arts and couldn't use magical treasures, being chosen as guardian demon soldiers by the insect demons had its reasons.
"Swoosh!"
A terrifying claw swept across the sky! It pounced on Wu Yuan.
It was another Ninth Stage Transcendent Realm demon soldier!
In demon soldier battles, they mainly relied on wings and hooves and claws. Of course, any part of their bodies could be used in combat, but the effectiveness was relatively weaker.
The claw light approached.
The entire world seemed to be completely shrouded.
"Get lost!" Wu Yuan swiftly swung the battle knife like lightning. The terrifying force within his body erupted, directly slashing upward.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!" Like the successive collision of swords.
The air vibrated, and Wu Yuan was slammed down to the ground like a shooting star, but the demon soldier was also sent flying by the impact.
In mundane battles, body size matters.
But for cultivators? A large body doesn't necessarily mean greater strength.
In terms of explosive strength, even without using Source Arts, Wu Yuan was much stronger than these two Ninth Stage Transcendent Realm demon soldiers.
"Boom!"
Falling several hundred meters, Wu Yuan deeply stepped into the depths of the earth, and the terrifying shockwave instantly created a large pit.
Immediately, Wu Yuan, seemingly unharmed, exerted force with his legs and swiftly rushed towards the Ninth Stage Transcendent Realm demon soldier, whose wings were rapidly recovering.
Injure its ten fingers, not as good as breaking one finger!
...
"Wu Yuan, facing two enemies, he still has the absolute upper hand?" Meng Cai, who had already fled far away, turned around, looking extremely shocked.
He originally thought that Wu Yuan could only resist.
But this scene in front of him, how could it be just resistance? It was clearly complete suppression!
In the Central Earth Immortal Palace...
"So powerful?"
"Wu Yuan?" Inside the Central Earth Immortal Palace, it had completely boiled over. Many top experts were incredulously watching the scene on the light screen.
Close combat confrontation.
In a pure strength showdown, Wu Yuan completely suppressed the two Ninth Stage Transcendent Realm demon soldiers!
Such strength was too terrifying!
"The young lord's strength is probably not much weaker than mine." King Qiong Hai stared with wide eyes, muttering to himself, "The young lord is the inheritor of the Witch God. It's impossible for him not to practice Source Arts. Once he erupts with Source Arts, he might be able to suppress me."
"It's only been a few years... sigh, this is too extraordinary!"
In the dark, vast mountains...
"Boom!" "Boom!" Wu Yuan fought against two Ninth Stage Transcendent Realm demon soldiers. The fierce and dreadful battle seemed slow when spoken, but in reality, it was just a blink of an eye.
Wu Yuan completely suppressed the two overwhelmingly powerful demon soldiers.
Two slashes! The two powerful demon soldiers hadn't recovered from the extremely penetrating knife light of the war knife.
But Wu Yuan?
"My body is strong enough! I also have the Witch Soldier Armor!" Wu Yuan's killing intent surged, and the Witch Soldier Armor bestowed extraordinary defensive power upon him.
The attacks of the two demon soldiers, after dual weakening from weapons and the Witch Soldier Armor, had little impact and harm on his body.
"Boom!" Wu Yuan's burst of speed exceeded nine li per second in an instant. With almost a flicker, he was close and killed the injured demon soldier.
This time, Wu Yuan didn't collide head-on.
"Boom!" "Boom!" "Boom!" The two sides instantly exchanged blows several times.
Finally, Wu Yuan found an opening. Like a lightning serpent, he instantly avoided the incoming claws, then viciously slashed.
"Rip~" A glaring wound appeared on the back of the injured demon soldier.
Blood splattered!
"Pong~" Wu Yuan got close, and another foot stomped fiercely.
The tough skin of the Ninth Stage Transcendent Realm demon soldier, resistant to spiritual weapon attacks, was directly torn apart by this terrifying impact.
The massive body plummeted.
"Roar~" The demon soldier rolled, constantly howling in pain.
In this battle, it was completely at the mercy of Wu Yuan.
Just as Wu Yuan was about to continue the pursuit.
"Phew!" A tail covered in scales, tearing through the sky and earth, whipped towards Wu Yuan at a horrifying speed, almost like lightning.
"Hmm?" Wu Yuan observed with his peripheral vision.
Swoosh!
Only to see Wu Yuan's ethereal agility. His figure jumped, easily avoiding the tail strike. Then, like a soaring meteor of earthy yellow, he instantly rushed to the front of the demon soldier with a length exceeding one hundred and fifty.
"Splash! Hoo~"
The blade danced.
With just a glance, Wu Yuan's blade, like a skilled butcher, directly cut down along the neck of the demon soldier.
"Boom! Boom! Boom~" The enormous body of the demon soldier was split in half!
It rapidly crashed towards the ground.
"Roar!" "Roar!" Witnessing this scene, the other two demon soldiers, each with a length of about one hundred and fifty to one hundred and sixty meters, hastily retreated.
"Splash!" "Splash!"
Wu Yuan, however, didn't stop at all. His figure flickered, his eyes cold.
The blade, even colder!
For a moment, the blade light was dazzling, illuminating the night sky.
Wu Yuan, who was on the verge of comprehending the Domain Realm, was much more adept in combat skills than these Ninth Stage Transcendent Realm demon soldiers.
They were completely in different leagues.
"Rip!"
"Pong~" Three weaker demon soldiers simultaneously rushed over, but in an instant, six blades of light were slaughtered by Wu Yuan.
The colossal bodies fell one after another!
"Difficult to kill at the Ninth Stage Transcendent Realm! But a few heads of Transcendent Realm Fifth Stage demon soldiers dared to come and die?" Wu Yuan's eyes were icy.
Just like the past with Fang Xia, with a single thought, relying on the power of the Domain Realm, he could easily crush a Fourth Stage Qi Sea cultivator.
Now, Wu Yuan, killing these weakest Transcendent Realm Fifth Stage demon soldiers?
If they wore battle armors, it might take a bit more effort.
Otherwise? One or two slashes would suffice!
"Roar~" "Roar~" At this moment, the two massive demon soldiers, already terrified, roared madly and fled frantically.
They were fleeing separately.
"Flee?" Wu Yuan instantly landed on the ground, his speed skyrocketing to an astonishing level. In an instant, he made a choice and killed towards the Ninth Stage Transcendent Realm demon soldier that was more severely injured.
Wu Yuan's speed was faster than it. In the blink of an eye, it was caught up.
"Splash!" "Boom!" The two sides once again entangled in battle. Claw lights whistled, and blade lights intertwined. Both sides tumbled into the earth.
...
Inside the fairy palace, everyone stared at the screen. However, as both sides plunged into the earth, the screen became blurry.
The earth trembled madly.
The battle between the two sides was incredibly fierce.
"Can he win?"
"Wu Yuan is truly strong!" All the top-ranking experts stared fixedly at the screen. At this moment, they all wished they could fly and witness this battle with their own eyes.
Suddenly.
As if the ground was exploding and rolling due to a great earthquake, a figure covered in blood, with a broken wing, a black-scaled beast, suddenly burst out from deep within the earth.
Stumbling, it flew towards the sky.
Countless rocks and soil were splashed.
"Its wings are broken."
"It's trying to escape! But its speed is much slower than before, estimated to be less than thirty li per breath." Many top experts held their breath, watching.
Boom!
A dazzling figure suddenly rushed out of the earth, and its speed instantly soared to a terrifying level of seventy li per breath.
Like a falling star!
Soaring into the sky.
In an instant, the falling star erupted with a dazzling blade light, ruthlessly slashing across the severely wounded demon soldier!
"Splash~" The black-scaled beast with a length exceeding two hundred meters was instantly torn into two pieces by the blade light. Countless scales scattered, blood splattered, and it fell heavily to the ground.
In the end, the two pieces of the body crashed onto the earth, causing the ground to shake violently.
In the night sky.
The earthy yellow figure stood tall in the void. The war knife hung low, and drops of blood slid down the sharp edge of the blade, falling towards the ground.
Four breaths!
Five demon soldiers, four dead and one escaped!
Inside the fairy palace, it was already silent. All the top-ranking experts stared in shock at this scene.
In their hearts, they deeply remembered this name - Wu Yuan!
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 155 Blood Mist Miracle (Seeking Subscriptions)
"Too strong!"
"Wu Yuan's strength! In a head-on battle, he actually killed a Ninth Stage Transcendent Realm demon soldier in just a few breaths?" Inside the Central Land Immortal Palace, dozens of top experts watched everything in the screen, feeling that it was somewhat unreal.
Only the corpses of the demon soldiers on the ground.
Proving that everything before their eyes was real!
In the night sky, that earthy yellow figure holding a war knife was so dazzling and dominant.
"So powerful."
Wu Han Nong said in a low voice, "With such strength, I feel that he's not much weaker than the King of Qiong Hai, definitely at the peak of Central Land!"
Central Land's peak?
As a Qi Sea Sixth Stage powerhouse, Wu Han Nong's words carried weight. The four words made many top experts look over.
They all couldn't help but look towards the figure in the white robe sitting cross-legged in the fairy palace.
At first glance, he seemed unremarkable.
"Central Land's peak? Wu Yuan indeed deserves this title. He has a good chance of competing for the top ten or even the top five in Central Land." The Mountain Demon King's voice roared, shaking his head. "At least, I'm not confident in defeating Wu Yuan."
Many top experts were shocked to hear this.
Mountain Demon King, Eighth Stage Transcendent Realm, joined forces with the King of Qiong Hai to rule the Southern Sea, and their deterrent power was extremely strong.
His words were highly credible!
In the entire Central Land continent, even including the Southern Sea, the total number of advanced Qi Sea and Transcendent Realm experts was less than fifteen!
Capable of competing for the title of the strongest in the world.
Ranked first was Fang Xia, who showed extraordinary strength in the battle at Yunshan. He was faintly the strongest!
Next were the King of Qiong Hai, Emperor Jin Quan.
After that, there were Wan Xing Dao Ren, Emperor Dong Pan, and Niu Hao. If the God of Wilderness had not fallen, he would also belong to this level.
Experts like Bei Li, Zhao Xing, Hai Fei Zhang, Mountain Demon King, Rong Le, Jin Ji, and Bei Li were obviously weaker than the ones mentioned above.
And now.
Although Wu Yuan's erupted combat power was not as good as Wan Xing Dao Ren, Emperor Dong Pan, and others, it was already not weaker than the Mountain Demon King, Jin Ji, and others, belonging to the same level.
"Wu Yuan, only twenty-one years old."
The black-haired Bei Li whispered, "Truly a rare genius in our Central Land. I don't know how he cultivated."
These words made many top experts trance.
Yes!
A twenty-one-year-old on the Heavenly Ranking was already terrifying. Moreover, Wu Yuan's strength was much stronger than ordinary Heavenly Ranking experts!
"Wu Yuan has extremely high talent." Fang Xia smiled and said, "Otherwise, why would Senior Wan Liu accept him as a disciple? He will play a huge role in this battle."
"Haha, with Wu Yuan's talent, after overcoming the Insect Demon Tribulation, he is destined to be the strongest in Central Land." The King of Qiong Hai laughed heartily.
The two echoed each other.
Making many top experts instinctively nod. Indeed, at the age of twenty-one, with such exaggerated strength, who would dare to deny Wu Yuan's formidable talent?
"Fellow Daoists."
In the fairy palace, Wu Yuan, who had been sitting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened his eyes. "Everyone, do your best. The more demon soldiers we kill now, the greater the hope of victory in the final battle."
...In a corner of the meeting hall.
"Zhao Fellow Daoist, Hai Fellow Daoist." Jin Ji's voice sounded in the ears of Zhao Xing and Hai Fei Zhang, a voice that only the three of them could hear.
"Zhao Fellow Daoist, Hai Fellow Daoist." Jin Ji's voice rang in the ears of Zhao Xing and Hai Fei Zhang. This voice could only be heard by the three of them.
This was the power of each member of the Immortal Palace.
Of course, if Emperor Dong Pan wished, he could also 'eavesdrop.'
Zhao Xing and Hai Fei Zhang couldn't help but look towards Jin Ji.
"Wu Yuan's strength, how can it be so strong?" Jin Ji couldn't help but say, "He has just become a Body Refiner. Even if he cultivates fast, he might only be at the Second or Third Stage of Transcendent Realm. How could he easily kill a Ninth Stage Transcendent Realm demon soldier?"
Wu Yuan's erupted strength stunned Jin Ji.
Zhao Xing and Hai Fei Zhang exchanged a glance.
"Jin Ji, you're not the only one with this question," Zhao Xing whispered, "Do you think we're not curious?"
Jin Ji was taken aback.
"Strength is never without reason." Hai Fei Zhang said in a deep voice, "From Wu Yuan's explosive speed and the power of his knife technique, we can judge that his strength is no less than ours."
"Perhaps he has a strong foundation, cultivating a Fifth or Fourth-grade foundation!"
"Perhaps he has powerful treasures."
"Perhaps he has used the legendary 'Source Technique,' a short-term burst of extremely strong strength. It's just that we can't see it from the surface." Hai Fei Zhang said, "There are many reasons, and on ordinary days, we would definitely try to figure it out."
"But now, is the reason really important?" Hai Fei Zhang shook his head.
Jin Ji fell silent.
"Wu Yuan's strength, no matter how strong, no matter how talented, even if he rules the world, at most, he would take our lives, but he wouldn't exterminate our descendants, our disciples, and grandchildren." Zhao Xing said calmly, "But the Insect Demon wants to destroy everything!"
"So."
"Is it necessary to care about why Wu Yuan is so strong? It's meaningless at the moment!"
"The stronger he is, the better!"
"Hurry up and comprehend the formation." Zhao Xing said, "After killing the Insect Demon, we can consider Wu Yuan's matter later."
...
"Dong Pan, in this battle, I have a sense of determination." Wan Xing Dao Ren communicated privately with Emperor Dong Pan.
"People have different destinies!"
"Wu Yuan is so strong, it's not only related to Senior Wan Liu, but also to the 'Wu Chamber' in the Chu Jiang Immortal Realm." Wan Xing Dao Ren said.
Emperor Dong Pan nodded involuntarily.
The news of the Chu Jiang Immortal Realm was not a big secret.
Both Wan Xing Dao Ren and Emperor Dong Pan had secretly investigated the 'Jie Xian Mountain' in Chu Zhou.
Unfortunately, they gained nothing.
"At present, the Insect Demon is the big threat. The stronger Wu Yuan is, the better. Who cares why he's strong?" Wan Xing Dao Ren sighed, "Moreover, regardless of his connection with Senior Wan Liu, just by joining forces with Fang Xia, he is fearless against anyone!"
"Fang Xia is very strong." Emperor Dong Pan nodded sincerely.
They had started to comprehend the Seven-Star Profound Flame Formation, and only then did they truly understand how formidable this formation was.
In the battle at Yunshan back then.
Fang Xia, with his strength alone, broke open this large formation. His strength was obviously superior to theirs.
One sentence!
Inside the Immortal Palace, all the top experts knew that Wu Yuan's strength was progressing so rapidly, he must have a great opportunity, and perhaps he possessed precious treasures.
But so what?
Wu Yuan, together with Fang Xia, and secretly with the King of Qiong Hai, was fearless in waging war against the entire Central Land.
This was the reason why Wu Yuan erupted without any scruples.
...
In the desolate demon area of the wasteland, in the night sky.
Taking a brief rest, Wu Yuan quickly located the positions of the demon crystals of the four dead demon soldiers through divine sense.
"Splash!" "Splash!"
Along with several flashes of knife lights across the bodies, several entirely black demon crystals flew up, quickly falling into Wu Yuan's palm.
"So rich spiritual energy of heaven and earth, much purer than the middle-grade source stone." Wu Yuan was amazed, sensing the demon crystals in his hand, "Indeed, these are demon crystals from Transcendent Realm demon soldiers. They might be comparable to high-grade source stones in terms of volume!"
The four demon crystals varied in size.
The largest ones were from two Ninth Stage Transcendent Realm demon soldiers, each the size of a human head, and their weight was astonishing!
"Adding up these four, they weigh at least a thousand catties." Wu Yuan murmured.
A thousand catties of high-grade source stones?
It should be noted that, according to the information Wu Yuan obtained from the immortal scroll, in the Qingling Great Realm, one catty of high-grade source stone was equivalent to one hundred catties of middle-grade source stone and ten thousand catties of low-grade source stone.
Even if these four demon crystals were not a small harvest.
"Demon soldiers grow by devouring each other, and flesh and blood are just a part of it."
"The key is to devour these demon crystals." Wu Yuan thought, "Taking away the demon crystals not only brings wealth but also prevents other demon soldiers from coming to devour these dead demon soldiers."
Taking away the demon crystals would greatly reduce the impact even if other demon soldiers secretly came to devour the corpses.
Swoosh!
A figure in a cyan robe streaked across the night sky and flew in front of Wu Yuan.
"Wu Yuan, thank you so much for saving me. Without you, I'm afraid I would have been killed." Meng Cai was extremely excited and a bit awkward.
In terms of seniority and age, he was much older than Wu Yuan.
However.
In the vast journey of cultivation, with long life spans, cultivators wouldn't care about seniority. Strength was the most important factor.
The capable was the teacher!
"Meng Cai, no need to thank me. We are all fighting for the Central Land." Wu Yuan smiled faintly.
Perhaps, the Starry Tower had some conflicts with the Horizontal Cloud Sect before, and Meng Cai had tried to suppress the Horizontal Cloud Sect.
But now.
For the safety of the Central Land, all the top experts fought side by side!
"Meng Cai, time is urgent. Let's hurry and explore other places." Wu Yuan said, "We can discuss in the Immortal Palace."
"Alright." Meng Cai nodded without any hesitation, not retreating at all due to the danger he had just faced.
The two of them turned into flowing light and dispersed.
For the top experts with weaker strength to explore large areas alone was indeed prone to danger.
But the demon area was vast. If only Wu Yuan, King of Qiong Hai, and a few other peak powerhouses explored, when would they finish exploring? How many demon soldiers could they slay?
Danger?
Most of the top experts had already prepared for the possibility of death!
Swoosh! Wu Yuan continued to fly over the vast land.
He maintained divine sense exploration at all times.
Under his seemingly calm expression, Wu Yuan's heart became extremely excited: "Indeed! To become a wizard, I must kill similarly extraordinary lives to continue obtaining the blood-colored mist from the Black Tower."
Just now.
After killing two demon soldiers, why did Wu Yuan seem momentarily lost in thought? It seemed to be because he was excited about killing a Ninth Stage Transcendent Realm demon soldier.
But in reality.
Wu Yuan was shocked by the vast amount of mist emerging from the Black Tower in his upper dantian, the total amount was astonishing, and the concentration was much higher than before!
If we say that when he killed a master in the past, the Black Tower released mist with a concentration level of one!
Then now, it was ten!
The concentration of the blood-colored mist surged by a full ten times.
"If the previous blood mist was first-tier, then the current one is second-tier," Wu Yuan thought to himself. "It has completely transformed."
With Wu Yuan's powerful divine soul, multitasking was effortless for him. He simultaneously used divine sense for exploration, maintained the transformation of the Immortal Palace avatar, and initiated the infusion of the blood-colored mist into his body.
Strands of blood-colored mist rapidly merged into his body, continuously dispelling the fatigue caused by the intense battle.
But reinforcing the body?
"Failure?" Wu Yuan's heart sank.
Even though the concentration had increased significantly, it still couldn't further strengthen his body like before.
"Is it because my body is already too strong?" Wu Yuan speculated to himself.
"That's right."
"The body forged by the second-grade wizardry pattern is already close to invincible within the same realm. If the blood-colored mist could further strengthen the body? That would be too outrageous." Wu Yuan comforted himself in this way.
But he couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed.
He had originally hoped that the blood-colored mist would significantly boost his personal strength, which would increase his chances of dealing with the impending insect demon catastrophe.
"Let's try the Middle Dantian Palace and Divine Palace." Wu Yuan still wasn't willing to give up.
Hum~ Hum~
The blood-colored mist poured into the Middle Dantian Palace, which was chaotic inside, and the well-nourished Middle Dantian Palace showed no change.
Immediately after.
Those strands of blood-colored mist entered the 'Divine Palace,' derived from the Lower Dantian Palace, and the Divine Palace was vast inside, with many stored miscellaneous items floating in the upper half.
At this moment, Wu Yuan's divine soul avatar sat cross-legged in the center of the Divine Palace. The vast vitality was continuously operating.
On one side of the avatar was the Yaojing Immortal Field, emitting spiritual energy continuously.
Absorbed by the 108 void channels in the Divine Palace.
On the other side was the vast Tengshe Egg with a majestic life aura.
When the first strand of blood-colored mist surged into the Divine Palace.
"Boom!"
Like hot oil hitting water, the vast vitality instantly boiled, directly devouring this strand of blood-colored mist. Then, the speed at which the Divine Palace refined the 'lifeblood' from the void channels skyrocketed.
Double! Triple!
The speed at which the Divine Palace refined lifeblood surged.
The Tengshe Egg, which had been slowly absorbing 'vitality' to grow, seemed to be stimulated. Its absorption speed suddenly increased by a large margin!
"Five times!!!" Wu Yuan was shocked, "Killing demon soldiers, the blood-colored mist released by the Black Tower can increase the cultivation speed of vitality by five times?"
In simple terms, if Wu Yuan previously estimated that reaching the Ninth Stage Transcendent Realm would take decades, now?
With the continuous assistance of the blood-colored mist in cultivation, at most ten years!
"The progress of vitality is one aspect." Wu Yuan excitedly sensed the Tengshe Egg, "The absorption speed of vitality by the Tengshe Egg has increased by more than ten times?"
"One day? At most two days!"
"The Tengshe Egg is about to hatch!"
---
Note: The translation has been provided in a narrative style for better readability.