The deeper Jiang Chen ventured into the Beastborne Forest, the more he realized—this was a land untouched by civilization.
The towering ancient trees stretched endlessly into the sky, their thick, gnarled roots twisting through the ground like the remains of fallen titans. Their bark shimmered faintly under the dim sunlight that filtered through the dense canopy, casting the world below in perpetual twilight. Some of these trees were so large that their trunks alone could house entire villages.
The air was thick with primal energy, untouched by human influence, carrying the faint scent of damp earth, wild herbs, and something else—something raw and untamed. The wind moved strangely here, weaving through the foliage like it carried whispers of an ancient past.
Jiang Chen moved swiftly yet cautiously, his golden-amber eyes scanning his surroundings. Despite his calm exterior, he was more alert than ever.
This place was… alive.
Not just in the way a forest should be.
No, it felt as if the very land watched him.
Every step he took, the rustling leaves, the faint shifting of vines, the movements of spirit plants in the distance—it was all too synchronized. Too aware.
But nothing moved to attack.
Not yet.
For the first time in his life, Jiang Chen felt small.
He had lived and fought in the wilderness since childhood, hunted spirit beasts, survived against impossible odds—but this was different.
This was not a place where humans ruled.
The trees weren't just massive—they were ancient, likely thousands of years old, their roots carved deep into the bones of the earth. Some bore bioluminescent veins, their leaves shimmering with hues of violet and gold, giving them an almost divine radiance.
Floating wisps of light drifted lazily through the air, their forms constantly shifting between mist and fire. They scattered whenever Jiang Chen approached, moving as if they had a will of their own.
At one point, he crossed a shallow river of liquid silver, its waters brimming with condensed Qi. He crouched, touching the surface with his fingertips, and instantly felt the dense spiritual energy hum against his skin.
This was no ordinary land.
Everything here—from the smallest blade of grass to the towering colossi of wood—overflowed with energy.
And that meant opportunity.
If the forest was this potent with Qi, then the creatures that lived here…
Jiang Chen's grip tightened on his spear. He had to stay vigilant.
Pausing beneath the twisted arch of two enormous trees, Jiang Chen pulled out the Demonic Beast & Territory Guide given to him in Ironhollow.
He flipped through the pages until he reached the section on ancient lands—and his next destination.
Evernight Valley.
A canyon where sunlight never reaches.Spirit beasts evolved under unnatural conditions.Time might flow differently.
Foundation Establishment danger level.
Jiang Chen exhaled, tapping his finger against the parchment.
This was the least dangerous area in the forest, yet it was still a land where only cultivators at Foundation Establishment were expected to survive.
How absurd.
He had fought against Foundation Establishment enemies before, but only under special conditions—where they had underestimated him, or where he had used force manipulation and chaos-infused attacks to bridge the gap.
In a direct battle?
If a seasoned Foundation Establishment expert fought him seriously, with no arrogance or restraint…
I wouldn't have survived.
Jiang Chen didn't delude himself.
His victories against stronger opponents had always been earned through intelligence, timing, and exploiting weaknesses.
But here, in the depths of the forest?
There was no arrogance to exploit.
No hesitation from his enemies.
The beasts of this land did not play games. They did not scheme or boast.
They devoured anything weaker than themselves.
Jiang Chen continued his trek, moving deeper into the forest toward Evernight Valley.
The world around him grew darker, the sunlight becoming an afterthought as thick, towering trees blocked the sky. The only illumination came from the glowing moss that clung to the bark and the occasional pale firefly swarms that drifted through the air like spirits.
A strange silence settled over the land.
No insects. No birds. No distant howls.
Just silence.
Jiang Chen slowed his steps. His instincts screamed at him—this was not normal.
But nothing attacked.
Even so, he knew he was now officially within the outskirts of Evernight Valley.
He exhaled, steadying his breathing.
This was it.
His first true trial in the Beastborne Forest.
No city walls. No sects. No humans.
Only him.
Him and whatever lurked in the eternal night ahead.
And for the first time since he entered this place—a smile crept onto his face.
"Fuck…This is exciting," he exclaimed as he felt his blood boiling.
This was what he desired, a challenge.