Chapter 646: The Sealed Land

Azure mist drifted from the east, exuding an aura of serenity and peace.

Shi Hao and his companions plummeted to the ground, surveying their surroundings.

The area was sparsely scattered with ancient trees of immense age and strength. Each tree was so massive that it would require over a dozen people to encircle its trunk. Their bark was cracked and rugged, resembling dragon scales. Though the branches and leaves were not dense, rays of sunlight pierced through the canopy.

The distance between each tree was vast, with open spaces in between, filled with purple mist and radiant glow, mostly drifting in from the eastern region.

Shi Hao’s group had entered a hidden realm, where the spiritual energy was thick and nearly tangible.

“That Fire Demon Sect is truly despicable!”

A surge of anger brewed in their hearts. The Fire Demon Sect had treated them with utter contempt, casting them aside as useless “easy prey,” sending them straight into the domain of their rivals.

“They might even use us as cannon fodder when necessary,” someone worried aloud.

The Fire Demon Sect viewed them as weaklings, mere numbers with no real threat, incapable of competing with their rivals for the treasures hidden in this realm.

Soon, the angry individuals fell silent, aware that at any moment they might encounter their rivals within this hidden domain.

Moreover, the group of dozens quickly dispersed, wary of each other.

Once inside this hidden realm, everyone became adversaries. Whether it was harvesting rare medicinal herbs or seeking the blood of supreme beings, cooperation was nearly impossible, and competition was inevitable.

Shi Hao strode eastward.

In fact, many had already moved ahead of him, leaving behind blurred afterimages as they rushed toward the source of the purple mist.

“Ah! A Canine Leaf Vine!” One person exclaimed in delight. Not far from where he had dashed forward, at the foot of a stone mountain, he spotted a vine rooted in the crevices of the rocks, glowing with radiant light.

The herb was no more than three feet tall, resembling a sculpture of black jade. Its leaves were shaped like fierce dogs, emitting dark glimmers, and the entire plant radiated spiritual energy.

The cultivator squatted down, carefully extracting a jade spade to dig it up without damaging its roots, ensuring no loss of spiritual essence. He quickly secured the herb.

Schiing!

Suddenly, a piercing sound tore through the air. A crimson arrow shot forth at incredible speed, accompanied by a cry of agony. The cultivator, a formidable practitioner, stared in shock and fury before collapsing lifelessly into a pool of blood.

The arrow had pierced through his skull, killing him instantly with ruthless precision, leaving him no chance to retaliate.

The Canine Leaf Vine in his hand fell to the ground, stained with droplets of blood.

This sent a chill through the cultivators who had just entered the hidden realm. How merciless and cruel! Simply harvesting an herb had led to such a tragic fate.

“This is forbidden ground! You are not allowed to come near!” A voice rang out from a stone mountain ahead.

It belonged to a middle-aged man with thick crimson hair and eyes like copper bells. He stood there holding a massive bow, as solid as an iron tower, exuding a powerful aura of vitality and intimidation.

As he gestured, the Canine Leaf Vine flew into his grasp.

A dozen figures were approaching from that direction. Witnessing this scene, they were filled with indignation. How audacious! Did they truly believe these people were expendable?

However, none dared to voice their anger, choosing instead to suppress their resentment. They noticed shadowy figures ahead—clearly, these were powerful experts from the Fire Demon Sect.

This was a renowned sect, with warriors who had ignited their divine flames among them, and not just one. If a conflict were to arise, they, mere Zunzhe cultivators, would be wiped out entirely.

Shi Hao, watching from afar, felt a surge of discontent. The Fire Demon Sect’s arrogance and cruelty were evident, but this also indicated that something extraordinary had been discovered ahead, causing the sect to tighten its grip.

Many others shared his thoughts. Some felt a strong urge to investigate further, but after weighing their strength against the enemy’s, they could only sigh in resignation and retreat.

Others hesitated briefly before vanishing into the woods.

Shi Hao did not recklessly charge forward. He never underestimated any divine-level expert, especially when there were more than one. Caution was necessary.

Yet, he had no intention of leaving just yet. He began circling the area, determined to uncover what sacred treasure had emerged ahead.

“Could it be an ancient pool of blood from the Primordial Zunzhe?”

The terrain undulated gently, with sparse ancient trees stretching far into the distance. The air was rich with spiritual energy, yet devoid of venomous insects or ferocious beasts, making it a serene and pure land.

Standing atop a high mountain, Shi Hao gazed into the distance. At the heart of this region lay a vast valley, expansive and majestic. Here, purple mist swirled and rose, accompanied by what seemed like the roar of dragons—an extraordinary phenomenon beyond the ordinary.

“What a blessed land! What lies within?” Shi Hao murmured softly.

Fire Demon Sect warriors guarded the valley’s entrance, fully prepared, forbidding anyone from approaching. Watchers were stationed around, maintaining a tight vigil.

Shi Hao lingered for a long time, then ventured further into the distant regions, seeking opportunities and searching for shortcuts to other areas—ancient transmission arrays.

Before entering, he had heard that the Yuan Tian Secret Realm was boundless, yet often contained ancient transmission arrays that could significantly shorten travel distances.

“Strange, this doesn’t look good.” Soon, Shi Hao noticed something amiss. He had only walked a few dozen li when he encountered an obstruction—an ancient formation sealing the sky!

Frowning, he swiftly moved along the edge of the formation, seeking to determine if there was an exit.

The result startled him. Within a radius of a hundred li, an ancient divine formation enveloped the entire area, with no gaps, trapping everyone inside.

Like him, the other dozens of cultivators faced the same predicament. While exploring this region, they found their paths blocked, unable to leave.

“What kind of place is this? Why is it sealed off by a grand formation? Those who wish to escape the Fire Demon Sect cannot leave!” Someone’s face paled, a sense of foreboding rising.

The purple mist-laden valley lay at the center of this hundred-li expanse, occupied by the Fire Demon Sect. Had they discovered something? Was there an exit there?

At last, people understood why there were no venomous insects or fierce beasts here—it was an imprisoned land, isolated from the outside world. Even if there were divine beasts or celestial birds, they could not enter.

Some tried to cross the ancient formation, but were soon met with disaster. Several were torn apart by divine runes, causing everyone’s faces to pale. Forcefully breaking through was clearly not an option.

Everyone looked at each other helplessly. There was truly no way out.

Shi Hao retraced his steps, drawing closer to the open valley where purple mist swirled and rose.

Many had returned, watching from a distance. They felt that if there was no other way, they would have to follow behind the Fire Demon Sect and see how they managed to leave.

Boom!

A violent sound erupted from within the valley, accompanied by crimson light. A massive red-feathered crane burst forth, half its body ablaze, drenched in blood, crashing outside the valley.

Chaos erupted, triggering a wave of startled cries.

“It’s gravely wounded!”

Shi Hao and others were astonished. A divine-flame-igniting expert from the Fire Demon Sect had been severely injured within the valley, but they dared not act recklessly—this sect had more than one divine-level expert inside.

“Better to seek some blessings first,” Shi Hao muttered to himself. Originally, he had no intention of wasting time, but with no way out, he began gathering medicinal herbs nearby.

Others also lingered around, closely watching the movements of the Fire Demon Sect’s Red-Feathered Crane Clan.

Soon, the calm was shattered.

As Shi Hao climbed a cliff, he spotted a medicinal herb. Just as he was about to harvest it, a crimson arrow flew through the air, striking the cliff with a bang, causing it to collapse, sending boulders rolling.

He leapt into the air and gazed into the distance.

A peculiar young man stood there, his fiery red hair cascading down his back. He was strikingly handsome, though with an effeminate air. His narrow eyes glimmered with a half-smile as he gazed over, saying, “Leave now. My senior master summons you.”

Behind him stood several other experts from the Fire Demon Sect, all wielding massive bows, their faces cold and brimming with killing intent.

“Is there something you need?” Shi Hao asked.

“Less talk. If we tell you to go, then go,” the peculiar young man said impatiently, looking down at Shi Hao with utter contempt.

At the same time, other nearby cultivators were also driven to one location by the Red-Feathered Crane Clan, forced to move in this direction, being led into the valley.

Shi Hao licked his lips, studying the young man.

The peculiar youth inexplicably shivered, though the feeling quickly passed, leaving him puzzled whether it had been a mere illusion.

“Let’s go. You have no other choice. This area is sealed by a grand formation. Only by passing through the valley can you leave. Now, we must work together,” an elder spoke up.

Upon hearing this, the crowd exchanged glances.

At that moment, a middle-aged warrior appeared, his eyes shining like miniature suns, emitting dazzling light as he descended upon the scene. He was a divine-flame-igniting expert, representing the highest level of cultivation present.

“Everyone, let’s move,” he said calmly.

With no choice, the group reluctantly made their way toward the valley.

As they approached the valley, the spiritual energy grew even denser. Even the ordinary grass and trees shimmered with a crystalline glow, a result of prolonged nourishment by pure essence.

Rather than an invitation, it was more like an enforced escort, compelling them into the valley. Yet, they had no recourse—the Fire Demon Sect had stationed no fewer than four divine-level experts here.

This was chilling. Even if a prodigy stood among them, they would be no match for these divine warriors in the competition for hidden treasures!

The valley was encircled by towering purple mountains, each exuding waves of violet mist, shrouded in an ethereal haze. The interior was vast, filled with ancient ruins—dozens of colossal palaces lay in ruins, once a sacred land.

Most astonishing of all, at the center of the valley stood a mountain, entirely golden, as if forged from pure gold, radiating a blazing divine glow. Upon it grew a tree.

“Thunderstruck Wood!” Some gasped in astonishment. Though forced into the valley, they couldn’t help but feel awe, their eyes burning with desire.

The golden mountain was majestic and imposing. The ancient tree atop it was extraordinary—colossal and jet-black, crackling with endless bolts of lightning. Yet, a few leaves still clung to its branches, glowing with verdant light, exuding sacred radiance without withering.

The crowd stared in disbelief. Regardless of the mountain’s mystery, the tree itself was an invaluable treasure!

Additionally, near the golden mountain lay vast stretches of ancient medicinal fields, now overgrown with weeds. Still, a few ancient herbs could be seen thriving, exuding a rich medicinal aroma.

However, these areas were perilous, with dense arrays of divine runes glowing ominously.

“Esteemed ones, this is a hidden domain, possibly concealing a great secret. Let us explore it together,” a member of the Fire Demon Sect declared.

Though their words sounded sincere, the Red-Feathered Crane Clan forced the group to lead the way, while their own warriors followed closely behind.

“Senior, there are restrictions here. It’s extremely dangerous,” someone whispered cautiously.

“No worries. We shall follow behind you. If anything happens, we will rescue you,” a divine-flame-igniting expert said indifferently.

A surge of fury rose in their hearts. One of the Fire Demon Sect’s divine warriors had already been gravely wounded and could barely protect himself—how could he possibly protect them?

By forcing them to go first, they were essentially being sent to their deaths!