*Whoosh!*
Xiao Yan and his companions flew across the sky, several hundred feet ahead of them was Hunyu and his group. They had not expended much Dou Qi throughout their journey, and their strength was already formidable. While those beasts were driving others mad, they had long since rested and were in peak condition.
Xiao Yan glanced at Hunyu’s group before looking behind, where a group from the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan followed closely. The man with colored pupils, named Jiu Feng, was leading, and numerous powerful members of the clan were guarding him. Among them, Xiao Yan saw Feng Qing’er again. She had woken up, though the crimson handprint on her face remained. At least, she was alive.
As Xiao Yan observed the group, Feng Qing’er raised her head, locking eyes with Xiao Yan. Her silver teeth clenched, but this time, she restrained herself, not daring to openly display her hatred. Xiao Yan’s slap had indeed awakened her.
Feng Qing’er did not concern Xiao Yan. Although her strength had increased, her future achievements were limited. She was no great threat.
Xiao Yan then looked past the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan towards the back, where several groups followed. These individuals were also quite strong and seemed familiar with the beast tide. Hence, they maintained their strength, not having lost much Dou Qi in the previous chaos.
“Still in the midst of the beast tide, I wonder if we will encounter even more powerful beasts up ahead,” Xiao Yan mused, gazing into the distance. The red beast tide seemed to thin out, possibly nearing its end, but he feared some formidable beasts may still appear. The strongest beasts they had encountered so far were only around the Five-Star Dou Zun level.
*Roar!*
As Xiao Yan pondered, a ferocious roar echoed, and he felt a growing pressure in the surrounding space.
“Have those guys behind been eradicated?” Xiao Yan was silent. There were at least dozens of Dou Zuns, but that number was insignificant in this tide. Even if they fought fiercely, they would only be like ants blocking a cart. It was just a matter of time before they perished. What worried Xiao Yan was how quickly such a large force had fallen.
“Everyone, be cautious. Maintain the previous formation. Brother Qingyang, you and I will lead,” Xiao Yan took a deep breath and leaped to the front, issuing instructions. As the situation demanded, the attention of the beasts must be redirected from those behind to lessen the pressure, so they must speed up.
“Alright.” Gu Qingyang, understanding the urgency, nodded and moved next to Xiao Yan. The group reorganized into a triangular formation, with the weakest protected in the center and the others alternating. This would ensure sustained progress.
“The beast tide approaches, charge!” Xiao Yan glanced around and saw the red eyes and heavy breathing. He accelerated, fiery flames erupting from his body, transforming into a massive fire dragon. The dragon’s tail whipped, instantly killing hundreds of incoming beasts.
“Sea Inversion Seal!” As Xiao Yan struck, Gu Qingyang swiftly released nearly a hundred palm prints, clearing the surrounding area.
Meanwhile, Xuner, Cai Lin, Yunyun, and Little Healer Immortal also sprang into action, their immense Dou Qi sweeping away the beasts within a hundred-meter radius. They maintained their speed as they dashed forward, their combined strength allowing them to easily overcome weaker beasts. But this method of using Dou Qi and flames was exhausting.
However, for Xiao Yan, who had ample recovery elixirs, this was not a major issue.
“Those guys are moving fast.” As they kept pace, Xiao Yan watched Hunyu’s group. Their true power had erupted, and no beast could get close. Terrifying Dou Qi surrounded them, ruthlessly slaughtering anything that dared to approach.
“How far is it?” Xiao Yan, controlling the fire dragon overhead, asked, clearing a path while maintaining momentum. Though they could persist, constant exhaustion was not a long-term solution.
“We are deep in the tide. At this speed, we should break through in half an hour, provided we don’t encounter any particularly troublesome beasts. We have never reached this far, relying only on information from the clan,” Xuner replied.
“Half an hour…” Xiao Yan frowned, realizing the depth of the tide. If those earlier groups had not pushed hard, they might not have made it this far.
“Speed up, don’t let the beast tide block us completely,” Xiao Yan commanded, increasing his intensity and speed. The others followed suit, clearing the way.
In the seemingly endless sea of beasts, they were smaller than ants, but their unified strength was formidable. Unlike the earlier groups, they trusted each other, making their progress as swift as ever.
In the vast tide, several teams were like small boats, swaying and nearly capsizing, yet always remaining upright, advancing at a steady pace against the increasingly powerful beasts.
*Xi-Boom!*
Xiao Yan destroyed a beast’s head with a single palm, then instantly repelled another attacking Gu Qingyang, while Xuner quickly killed it.
“Thanks,” Gu Qingyang, without turning, said, sweat now visible on his brow. This prolonged effort was a heavy burden, and the beasts were becoming more powerful, requiring multiple strikes to kill one.
“At this rate, even with elixirs, we won’t last much longer,” Xiao Yan sighed.
“Hunyu and his group are gone,” Xuner noted, scanning ahead.
“They’ve broken through,” Gu Qingyang exclaimed.
“Really?” Xiao Yan’s eyes lit up. “The end of the beast tide is near.”
“Quick, faster,” Xiao Yan waved, revitalized. His attacks grew fierce, and several flaming palm prints sent the massive beasts retreating. He and the others surged forward, quickly closing the gap. As they neared the edge of the tide, they poured out all their strength, clearing the way. Another fire dragon burst forth, slamming into a colossal beast, causing it to collapse, and they swiftly passed over it.
Landing, Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi surged, but to his surprise, no beasts attacked. Scanning around, he saw the tide recede, and the beasts, despite their roars, dared not cross the line.
“Out?” Xiao Yan and his companions exhaled in relief. Looking farther, they saw a massive, ancient Bodhi tree standing alone in a vast plain. A clear aura floated above it, sometimes forming seeds, shrouded in mystery.
“Is this the legendary Bodhi Tree?” Xiao Yan’s heart pounded as he beheld the ancient, majestic tree.
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