As they gradually approached the massive energy light curtain, a powerful surge of energy pressure began to emanate from within. “Such a strong energy pressure, to pass through this layer of light, if one’s strength is inadequate, they might be crushed into powder,” said Xiao Yan, pausing outside the energy light curtain and gently placing his hand in it, feeling the energy pressure with a touch of surprise.
“Yeah, generally speaking, those with strength below a five-star Dou Zun cannot enter,” Xuner smiled slightly, adding, “The energy beings in the second layer, at the very least, possess nearly the strength of a five-star Dou Zun. Those who do not match this strength, even if they manage to enter, will only be met with death.”
“If just the entrance to the second layer requires the strength of a five-star Dou Zun, then entering the third layer’s light curtain would require at least seven-star or even eight-star strength, right?” Xiao Yan frowned slightly, saying.
“About that,” Xuner chuckled, covering her mouth, “But although this energy pressure is strong, with Brother Xiao Yan’s strength, he should not have too much trouble.”
“Let’s first reach the third layer entrance and see,” Xiao Yan shook his head, looking at the light curtain before him, then extending his hand to Xuner, smiling, “Let’s go, in!”
“Mm.” Xuner gently nodded, placing her delicate hand in Xiao Yan’s, allowing him to lead her as they slowly walked into the massive light curtain. As the two gradually entered the light curtain, golden-yellow and purple-brown flames slowly spread from their bodies, effectively resisting the overwhelming pressure.
The energy light curtain was about several hundred zhang wide, and it took Xiao Yan and Xuner nearly ten minutes to walk through it before they felt the energy pressure gradually weakening.
“We’re almost out…” Xiao Yan squinted, looking at the nearby energy light curtain, letting out a breath of relief, quickening his steps, and pulling Xuner through the thick curtain.
“Phew…” Once they emerged, the energy pressure that had covered their bodies dissipated instantly. Just as Xiao Yan was about to relax, Xuner’s slightly rushed voice quickly alerted him, “Be careful!”
Just as the words reached his ears, chills ran down Xiao Yan’s spine. Silver light flickered on his feet, and his body quivered, leaving a shadowy image in place.
“Boom!” The moment the shadow appeared, several exceptionally sharp energy forces rushed towards them, the fierce energy tearing the shadow to shreds in an instant. About ten zhang behind the shadow, Xiao Yan reappeared, frowning as he saw roughly ten energy beings floating in mid-air, their hollow and cold eyes fixed on him.
“Energy beings… and these are all beings with the strength of five-star Dou Zuns,” Xiao Yan furrowed his brows even more, never having encountered such a force even in the first layer. He hadn’t expected to face such a threat upon just entering the second layer.
“There’s a lingering smell of blood here; someone lured them here deliberately,” Xuner appeared by Xiao Yan’s side, frowning slightly as she observed the surrounding energy beings.
“Must be done by Hun Ya,” Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed, knowing such a plot was definitely orchestrated by the heavily injured Hun Ya and Hun Li.
“Can you sense their presence?” Xiao Yan locked his gaze on the ten energy beings, asking.
“No, these two are sly like foxes, likely fleeing far away once they lured these beings here,” Xuner shook her head, saying, “We should first deal with these, or else the scent of blood will attract more.”
“Mm, quick battle, lest changes occur,” Xiao Yan nodded solemnly, confirming the dangers of the second layer. These ten beings, even a regular six-star Dou Zun would flee, but fortunately, together, he and Xuner could handle them without much difficulty.
“Mm…” Xuner nodded, then twisted her lithe figure, vanishing mysteriously. As she disappeared, Xiao Yan stomped the ground, moving like lightning towards another direction.
The battle did not last long, ending in less than ten minutes, the two figures regrouped, exchanging smiles, opening their palms to reveal ten energy cores the size of pigeon eggs, surrounded by concentrated energy, akin to sentient mists.
“Eastward, the direction the bloody scent vanished, Hun Ya and Hun Li should have gone there. From what I know, east leads to the entrance of the third layer, what shall we do?” Xuner’s eyes shifted to the east, a chilling glint in them.
“Follow, these two, cannot be spared!” Xiao Yan smiled coldly, the gesture frigid, determined not to overlook their treachery.
“Since you want to play, I’ll play until the end!”
“The second layer is much smaller than the first. If all goes well, we should reach the third-layer entrance in less than half a month,” Xuner said softly.
“Let’s go, split the energy cores, and absorb them on the way,” Xiao Yan nodded, his figure becoming a blurred streak, followed closely by Xuner.
In the distant expanse ahead, two flying figures suddenly halted, turning back to look at where they had come from.
“They’ve entered the second layer; the energy beings must be dealt with,” muttered Hun Li, his arm missing, his face still pale, yet his aura somewhat stabilized. The abundant energy beings were perfect for recovery.
“Head to the third layer, ignore them for now. Recover your injuries, or we won’t stand a chance. And soon, the others will also reach the second layer. If Xiao Yan and Guniang join the others, we won’t be able to handle them,” Hun Ya’s brows furrowed, his tone cold.
“Moreover, reaching the third layer sooner aligns with our plans. Once everyone gathers, we can take them all out. Hehe, after all, no one doubts the danger of the Heavenly Tomb; even if they all die, no one can say anything,” Hun Ya’s face was filled with ruthless intent, whispering.
“Mm!” Hun Li nodded, a sinister smile on his lips. This time, despite the setback, he wouldn’t let the loss of his arm go unpunished.
“Let’s go, I want to see if they can keep up…” Hun Ya sneered, waving his sleeve, black fog rushing out to blend with the energy mist around them. His figure darted off, closely followed by Hun Li.
“Bang bang!” Xiao Yan, expressionless, waved his hands, sending a hot blast that shattered the souls hiding in the energy mist.
“Quite bothersome…” Xuner frowned, annoyed by these soul bodies, which, while resembling the energy beings, were under Hun Ya’s control. They hid in the black fog, and upon approach, would self-detonate. Although not very strong, they were annoying, and in the past week, Xiao Yan and Xuner faced such attacks hundreds of times.
“Hun Li’s injuries must be almost healed,” said Xiao Yan, having destroyed the last soul body. He noticed that though Hun Ya and Hun Li were driven to desperate measures, their occasional encounters with energy marks indicated Hun Li’s rapid recovery.
“What have we gained recently?”
“Thirty-eight five-star energy cores, twenty-five six-star, six seven-star, and one eight-star,” Xuner pondered, responding, “Though we’ve been chasing Hun Ya and Hun Li, we haven’t forgotten our main purpose. Any energy beings we encounter turn into cores. A few days ago, we even found an eight-star Dou Zun energy being, consuming a lot of our time. Such entities possess some intelligence, making them much more troublesome than ordinary ones.”
“Too bad, we didn’t find any nine-star Dou Zun energy beings. Cores of that level would be more useful to you,” Xiao Yan lamented, noting that he absorbed most, while Xuner took only a small portion. Knowing the cores’ limited effect on her, he understood her intentions.
Xuner smiled, saying, “Five more days, we should reach the third layer, and the ancestor Xiao Xuan’s tomb ought to be there.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded, a vague sense of anticipation welling up. He had a premonition that the tomb held something left by the ancestor for his descendants.
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