As the sun ascended, the morning light enveloped the Black Blood Mountains in a resplendent golden cloak.
The nearby forest around the stone tower erupted once more into lively chatter, with many discussing when they would finally gain entry into the small world. Even the Wu family members had arrived, aware of the dangers lurking within; they preferred to follow the four great families and scavenge the remains rather than venture into the perilous unknown alone.
Ye Tian sat cross-legged upon a large rock, his eyes firmly shut as he cultivated the Black Demon Battle Body. Despite having reached the eighth level of martial master, he seized every moment for practice to enhance his strength.
Observing Ye Tian's diligence, not only Liu Bao, but also Duan Wenbo, Niu Yunshan, and even the Lord of Blood Jade City, Xue Yuhua, revealed faint glimmers of admiration.
Time flowed slowly, and as noon approached, a sudden flurry of sounds echoed from the forest below, accompanied by the distant rumble of winds.
"Someone is coming, and in great numbers!"
Xue Yuhua, Liu Bao, Duan Wenbo, and Sun Piaopiao turned to gaze towards the thicket.
At that moment, Ye Tian's eyes snapped open as he gazed down into the woods, where a throng of several hundred people emerged.
These individuals were organized into four distinct teams, each stationed at different points around the stone tower.
Ye Tian recognized one of the teams: a hundred-strong contingent of black-armored soldiers. The leader, a middle-aged man draped in a long black robe, bore a scar across his face, and his eyes were as deep as the abyss. The impression he left on Ye Tian was that he possessed a strength even surpassing that of Xue Yuhua.
"Lord of Black Blood City!" Ye Tian inhaled deeply, knowing instantly that this man was Wei Yuanlong, the lord of Black Blood City. Beside him stood a robust middle-aged man, likely the commander of the black-armored army, Wei Hu.
As for the other three teams, Ye Tian surmised they belonged to the Bai, Yun, and Meng families, respectively. Like the earlier arrivals from the Wu family, the leaders of these three clans were all young men accompanied by elder advisors.
From Niu Yunshan's introductions, Ye Tian learned their names.
The Yun family was represented by the eldest daughter, Yun Shuiyao, who donned a fresh green gown, exuding an air of elegance. Beside her was a beautiful woman in green, and they appeared to be sisters.
Yet, Ye Tian sensed that this woman was extraordinarily formidable, undoubtedly a martial spirit-level expert.
The Bai family sent their young master, Bai Yunfei, clad in a blue robe, whose extraordinary demeanor was immediately appealing. Beside him stood a balding elder, also a martial spirit-level powerhouse.
The Meng family's eldest daughter, Meng Shiyun, was equally stunning, dressed in white that resembled pure snow, as if descended from the celestial realm. Her arrival drew the fervent gaze of Wu Ding.
However, a gray-clad matron accompanied Meng Shiyun, her expression dark and foreboding, as if she disapproved of everyone around her. She shot a particularly fierce glare at Wu Ding, causing him to awkwardly smile and avert his gaze from Meng Shiyun.
Having appraised the renowned four great families, Ye Tian withdrew his gaze, his heart tightening slightly. Without even considering the martial spirit experts, the mere presence of those four young men was enough to impose significant pressure on him.
All four were at the threshold of becoming martial spirit-level experts, just a step away from ascending to that realm. Remarkably, they were merely twenty-two years old, only three years older than Ye Tian.
"To think that a mere Southern Forest Prefecture boasts such talent; what then of the entire Da Yan Kingdom?" Ye Tian reminded himself not to be swayed by his own gifts. The vast expanse of the Shenzhou Continent dwarfed Da Yan, which was but a grain in the ocean. His journey still stretched far ahead.
"Xue Yuhua, your sources of information are quite impressive!" Just as Ye Tian mused, a powerful voice rang out from nearby, and a black-clad figure slowly ascended into the air—it was none other than Wei Yuanlong, the lord of Black Blood City.
"No amount of intelligence can compare to your insights, Wei Yuanlong. You have monopolized the small world for years; surely, you have amassed considerable treasures," Xue Yuhua remarked coolly.
"A clever ploy of using another's blade!"
At these words, Ye Tian's eyes gleamed with admiration for Xue Yuhua's cunning.
Indeed, as soon as Xue Yuhua finished speaking, the four martial spirit experts from the great families exchanged glances with Wei Yuanlong, their expressions shifting subtly.
Wei Yuanlong, a man not to be trifled with, snorted coldly and said, "Xue Yuhua, do not speak so irresponsibly. You know well the dangers that lie within the small world. Perhaps we should discuss how to proceed."
Attempting to mask the undeniable truth, Wei Yuanlong deftly redirected the conversation.
"Indeed, it is time we deliberate!" The elder from the Wu family, sporting a goat beard, grinned ominously, though his gaze towards Xue Yuhua and Wei Yuanlong harbored a hint of disdain.
"Have you ever entered the small world, Wei Yuanlong? Do you know what awaits us inside?" the gray-clad matron from the Meng family said coldly, her tone bordering on imperious.
A flicker of cold light passed through Wei Yuanlong's eyes as he replied, "Inside, there are five martial spirit-level ferocious beasts, each at the first level. I could easily defeat any one of them in a duel. However, as they are five-element beasts, their cooperation renders us here at a distinct disadvantage."
"Five-element ferocious beasts? I had no idea they were present. No wonder you, Wei Yuanlong, have guarded this treasure mountain for so long without success, ha ha!" The bald elder from the Bai family scoffed derisively.
Wei Yuanlong's face darkened at this remark, but he understood the importance of maintaining decorum with the Bai family, so he merely huffed in silence.
"The five-element beasts forming a battle formation indeed present a challenge. However, there are six of us here; if each of us faces one, we can surely break their formation!" The green-clad beauty from the Yun family said with a calm smile.
"Indeed, that settles it!" The elder from the Wu family nodded in agreement.
"Agreed!" The gray-clad matron from the Meng family also nodded in affirmation.
After a brief discussion, the group returned to their respective teams to make necessary arrangements before collectively soaring toward the rift atop the stone tower.
"Ye Tian, let's hold back for now and allow these individuals to take the lead!" Following the entry of the five formidable warriors into the small world, Liu Bao and the others began strategizing.
As the members of the four great families entered the rift ahead, the wandering martial artists, seeing this, clamored and rushed into the small world as well.
Ye Tian noticed that the black-armored soldiers, like them, lingered behind.
"It appears this small world harbors more than just the five formidable beasts!" Ye Tian thought, his instincts on high alert; it was evident that Wei Yuanlong had withheld some information.
As four-fifths of the crowd entered, Ye Tian observed the black-armored soldiers finally beginning their entry.
With a glint in his eyes, Liu Bao whispered urgently, "Let's go in!" He then charged toward the stone tower.
Ye Tian, Duan Wenbo, Niu Yunshan, and Sun Piaopiao quickly followed suit.
Being masters in their own right, they swiftly ascended to the tower and leaped, vanishing into the rift.
In that instant of entering the rift, Ye Tian felt a momentary darkness envelop him, and when his vision returned, he was struck by a breathtaking sight.
Before him lay an expansive grassland, lush and verdant; however, Ye Tian had no time to admire the scenery, for he was surrounded by powerful beasts, each at least a first-level warrior, with some reaching the peak of tenth-level warrior, and there were many.
Not far ahead loomed five colossal figures: a blue-blooded giant python, a flaming red lion, a massive pangolin, a six-armed giant ape, and a sword-spiked tiger.
These five mighty beasts were fiercely engaged in battle with Xue Yuhao and the other six warrior elites, creating an utterly awe-inspiring spectacle, deterring anyone from approaching.
The wandering martial artists and members of the four great families who had entered earlier were besieged by countless beasts, suffering heavy casualties.
Though the four families were indeed powerful and sustained minimal losses, many wandering martial artists perished in droves, blood flowing like rivers, their corpses littering the ground.
"Ye Tian, we must charge forward together and break through!" Liu Bao's booming voice broke through Ye Tian's momentary shock at the scene.
Snapping back to reality, Ye Tian unsheathed his blood blade, regrouping with Liu Bao and the others, slicing through the chaos like a sharpened dagger.
All around them, beasts roamed, and many wandering martial artists clashed violently, cries of despair echoing endlessly.
Ye Tian and his companions fought their way through the throng of beasts, each one becoming drenched in blood. However, given their blood-red attire, it was hard to discern the crimson stains.
This brutal struggle lasted a full half hour, until the five colossal beasts fell to the combined might of Xue Yuhao and his comrades, causing the horde of beasts to finally retreat.
Yet, in this brief span of half an hour, nearly half of the incoming martial artists perished, most of whom were the weaker ones who had hastened to enter.
"Wei Yuanlong is truly ruthless; most of these martial artists are from his Black Blood City!" Ye Tian gazed at the sea of corpses behind him, unable to stifle a lament.
Wealth often leads to demise, just as birds perish for food!
"Ye Tian, remember, this is a world where strength reigns supreme. If you cannot become a strong warrior, you may one day meet a similarly tragic end!" Liu Bao patted Ye Tian on the shoulder and sped ahead.
Duan Wenbo, Niu Yunshan, and Sun Piaopiao sighed lightly, following closely behind.
Pondering deeply, Ye Tian took one last glance at the scattered corpses before resolutely pressing forward.
About an hour later, the group beheld a stunning array of structures.
It was a ruinous site with remnants of grandiose architecture and numerous ethereal palaces floating in the sky.
While the ruins themselves were unremarkable, the sight of the floating palaces left Ye Tian awestruck, rubbing his eyes to ensure he was not mistaken.
Swish!
At that moment, the warrior elites of the four great families, along with Xue Yuhao and Wei Yuanlong, surged into the air, each taking one person with them as they ascended toward the ethereal palaces.
Xue Yuhao was accompanied by Liu Bao, and before departing, he advised Ye Tian and the others to tread carefully and prioritize their lives.
Meanwhile, the remaining forces of the four families, including the black-armored soldiers and wandering martial artists, rushed toward the ruinous site.
Duan Wenbo, Niu Yunshan, Sun Piaopiao, and Ye Tian followed suit.
However, halfway there, Ye Tian suddenly halted, captivated by a towering humanoid statue not far away.