On the morrow, outside the town of Wild Ancient, a dense crowd gathered, their clamor blending into a massive wave of sound that spread far and wide. Xiao Yan and his companions stood at the back, gazing at the throng of over a thousand strong, shaking their heads in awe. This was the first time they had seen such a large congregation of powerful beings. Just ahead of this massive sea of people lay an ancient forest, exuding an aura of antiquity. The gigantic trees, each hundreds of feet tall, stood like titanic giants, their canopies obscuring the sky and blocking out the sunlight. In the depths of the forest, a chilling darkness prevailed, occasionally punctuated by ferocious roars that sent shivers down one’s spine.
“These fellows have been lured by the Bodhi Ancients without a shred of reason,” Xiao Yan shook his head. The Wild Ancient Realm was dubbed the human forbidden land; even Dou Zuns entering it faced grave danger. But many here were only at the level of Battle Sect or even weaker, Battle Emperors. Such individuals would likely meet their end if they encountered any trouble, becoming mere fertilizer for the towering trees. “Still, the Wild Ancient Realm is truly formidable,” Little Healer Immortal whispered. Under those colossal trees, everyone felt a sense of insignificance, a testament to the vastness of these ancient lands.
Xiao Yan nodded, scanning the multitude. There were too many people, and he couldn’t spot any familiar faces. As he drew his gaze, the crowd began to stir, ready to enter the ancient realm. With a rumble, thousands surged forward, making the earth tremble. In a cacophony of shouting, countless figures darted forward, eager to penetrate the ancient, silent domain. Seeing their fervent rush, Xiao Yan sighed, “Let’s wait until they’ve entered more. They want to be the vanguard, so let them.” Hearing this, Little Healer Immortal and her companions smiled and nodded. They waited in a secluded spot for about half an hour before Xiao Yan stood up, waving a hand. “Let’s go, but be cautious!”
As he spoke, Xiao Yan leaped, becoming a blur of black, followed swiftly by Cai Lin and the others. The instant they entered the forest, the light dimmed, and the stench of decaying leaves filled the air. Xiao Yan paused, glimpsing groups of people but not stopping to converse. He resumed his rapid pace, traversing nearly fifteen miles in less than ten minutes. Along the way, they encountered no major threats, and any fierce beasts they met were quickly swarmed and reduced to pulp by the crowd. Despite the apparent ease, Xiao Yan’s brow furrowed; the Wild Ancient Realm wasn’t known for its calm. Even if this was just the periphery, it shouldn’t be so smooth. Wary, he slowed his pace, keeping a distance from the crowd. If anything happened, they would have time to react.
The others shared his caution, and they ventured further away from the edge of the Wild Ancient Realm. A flash of light revealed a sudden halt. “Poisonous fog is rising,” Little Healer Immortal’s keen eyes detected the toxic miasma. Xiao Yan and the others were alarmed; poison in the Wild Ancient Realm was a grave threat. “Take these antidote pills. They’ll help resist the poison,” she said, handing out several red pills. While she might not match Xiao Yan in alchemy, her knowledge of poisons was unrivaled. Xiao Yan took the pill as a loud, agonizing scream erupted from the crowd, causing a commotion.
“Seems they’re poisoned,” Xiao Yan noted. The toxins were potent, and weaklings could die from even a small exposure. These brash adventurers were now tasting the consequences of their hubris. “Let’s go,” he said, urging the group on. As they sped up, the toxic fog thickened, and more cries of agony echoed. Soon, there were violent bursts of energy, indicating some of the stronger poisoners were losing their composure.
A sudden burst of powerful energy ahead caught Xiao Yan’s attention. Slowing down, he spotted a blackened corpse on the ground, a face of fear and regret still visible. “A Dou Zun,” he sighed. This unfortunate individual was a true Dou Zun, yet even such a mighty being couldn’t withstand the toxins. “There’s something odd about this poison. Dou Zuns can protect themselves with their energy, but these poisons are different.” Little Healer Immortal, after testing the gas, confirmed, “It’s not poison fog, but tiny insects, too small to see with the naked eye. They float in the air, and the people are breathing them in. My body’s own toxins repelled them.”
Xiao Yan and the others shuddered. Swiftly, he activated his Heavenly Fire, incinerating the insects within him. The others also felt the effects, and Xiao Yan instructed, “Stay within five feet of me; these insects can bypass protective energy.” A purplish-brown fire hovered above his head, enveloping them in a barrier of heat. The toxic insects recoiled from the flames, retreating from the group. “This layer of poison alone will stop eighty percent of these people. The Wild Ancient Realm lives up to its name,” Xiao Yan said, relieved. If not for Little Healer Immortal’s detection, their fates would have been dire. “But we won’t be stopped so easily,” he added, his eyes blazing as he looked deeper into the realm. He intended to hasten; he was determined to obtain the Bodhi Heart!
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