"Who dares..."
The figure in black armor seemed to sense Gu Fei's presence. After being invincible in this region for countless years, he was filled with pride.
However, after carefully sensing the aura emanating from Gu Fei, the arrogant words he was about to utter were abruptly swallowed back.
"Thud!"
In the next moment, the figure in black armor dropped to his knees on the boulder, bowing towards Gu Fei.
"Greetings, Senior!"
"I didn't realize it was you, Senior. My apologies for not welcoming you properly. Please forgive me!"
The figure in black armor kowtowed, his words full of respect, fearing that Gu Fei might destroy him.
Even though he had already died once, he at least still existed in another form. But if Gu Fei were to destroy him and take his energy core, he would truly be gone forever.
Seeing the black-armored figure's actions, Gu Fei was momentarily taken aback. He hadn't expected a being transformed into an energy body to be so "attached to life."
"Senior, as long as you spare me, I'm willing to serve you as your loyal servant!"
The black-armored figure continued to beg for mercy.
Over the years, he had encountered some living beings who entered this place, all of whom were juniors. It was rare to encounter someone as powerful as Gu Fei.
"Before I entered, the elders in my clan instructed me to take care of others. Perhaps leaving this nine-star Dou Venerate energy body alive could be useful!" Gu Fei quickly pondered.
According to the original story, after the Heavenly Tomb was opened this time, an energy storm would sweep through the second layer in just over six months. In the face of that natural disaster, even someone at the nine-star Dou Venerate level would be facing certain death. If someone like Gu Qing Yang or Gu Yao encountered it, they might not survive.
These two were the prodigies of the Gu Clan, and Gu Fei had a good relationship with them. Knowing there was danger, he couldn't just stand by and do nothing. Of course, Gu Fei wasn't going to waste time waiting for them in the second layer.
"Senior, I beg you to spare..."
"Alright, I'll keep you around for now."
"Thank you, Senior, for sparing my life!"
The black-armored figure kept bowing in gratitude when Gu Fei spoke.
"Since I'm sparing your life, there are some tasks you'll need to do for me."
"Whatever you command, Senior! I'm willing to go through fire and water for you!"
The black-armored figure kowtowed repeatedly.
In the next moment, a jade token appeared in Gu Fei's hand. He quickly infused it with a wisp of his soul power.
"Take this jade token. In the coming days, if any other living beings like me appear in the second layer, avoid them as much as possible."
"Remember, five months from now, crush this jade token when you see an energy storm. If you don't..."
"An energy storm? Yes, Senior, I have memorized everything you said!"
The black-armored figure listened attentively to Gu Fei, nodding continuously. When he looked up after a moment, he realized Gu Fei had already disappeared, leaving only the jade token behind.
"Five months... I can't even remember the last time I kept track of time..."
Holding the jade token, the black-armored figure showed a hint of sentimentality.
...
Three days later, Gu Fei finally arrived at the entrance to the third layer of the Heavenly Tomb.
Here, just like the entrance to the second layer, an enormous energy barrier descended from the sky and touched the ground.
However, the energy barrier leading to the third layer had already solidified, requiring it to be forcibly broken through to enter.
"Whoosh!"
As Gu Fei approached the thick energy crystal wall, a strange flame suddenly ignited in his palm. Currently, Gu Fei's heavenly flame had already fused five types: Green Lotus Core Flame, Sea Heart Flame, Fallen Heart Flame, Three Thousand Burning Flame, and Bone Chilling Flame. The temperature was terrifying.
Coupled with his powerful Dou Saint energy, the flames quickly melted a large portion of the crystal wall. At this rate, the two hundred mile thick crystal wall could be burned through in just a few minutes.
With the heavenly flame leading the way, Gu Fei easily entered the energy crystal wall. Before long, a series of tiny crackling sounds came from within the crystal wall- different from the sound of the wall melting.
Gu Fei wasn't surprised by the strange sound. He knew it came from the ancient devouring insects living within the energy crystal wall, burning under his heavenly flame.
If it weren't for the suppression of the heavenly flame, these ancient devouring insects would quickly fill the gaps in the energy wall, trapping anyone inside.
Continuously activating the heavenly flame, Gu Fei finally broke through the crystal wall after ten minutes.
An endless expanse of gray land instantly appeared before his eyes.
This land was vast beyond measure, with no end in sight.
Here, the energy mist was not particularly dense, but as Gu Fei stepped onto this land, he could feel pure energy continuously seeping into his body through his feet.
"No wonder it's the third layer of the Heavenly Tomb!"
"Training here is more effective than taking seventh-tier pills every day!"
Feeling the energy density, Gu Fei couldn't help but smile with joy.
Moreover, the energy bodies encountered here were mostly above eight star Dou Venerate. Even those at the Half-Saint level were not uncommon. So, Gu Fei began rushing deeper into the third layer.
In the following days, Gu Fei engaged in continuous battles, frantically collecting energy cores.
...
"Boom!"
In the second layer of the Heavenly Tomb, within an area filled with scattered rocks, a woman in red released extremely hot flames, burning the three energy bodies in front of her into nothingness.
"Huo Zhi, your progress over the past six months has been impressive. Instantly killing three eight-star Dou Venerate energy bodies? You must be close to completing your first transformation!" said Huo Xuan of the Yan Clan, grinning as he appeared beside the woman in red.
"Yes," Huo Zhi nodded slightly, speaking little.
Suddenly, both Huo Zhi and Huo Xuan sensed two auras rapidly approaching from the distant sky.
"Just our luck! First time in the Heavenly Tomb, and we encounter something this terrifying!"
"You two should run too. If this massive storm catches up, even a peak Dou Venerate would perish!"
The approaching figures were none other than Gu Qing Yang and Gu Yao of the Gu Clan. As they arrived, they kindly warned Huo Zhi and Huo Xuan.
"An energy storm?"
Upon hearing Gu Qing Yang's words, Huo Zhi and Huo Xuan's faces changed.
They looked towards the horizon behind Gu Qing Yang and saw a thick energy hurricane roaring toward them, triggering a terrifying chain reaction.
As a result, a massive energy storm rapidly formed in this area.
"Run!"
After a moment of shock, Huo Zhi and Huo Xuan quickly joined the fleeing group.