socalfunplaces 35. The Battle in the Forest
35. The Battle in the Forest
Xiao Yan circulated his Dou Qi, and the blood-red flames on his arm vanished, replaced by a deep white flame. This rising flame lacked the intense heat expected of such a powerful attack; instead, it possessed an exceptionally chilling intensity. Upon contact with the deep white flame, the poisonous miasma began to condense into ice, the ice containing a strange white liquid. Much of the poisonous miasma near Xiao Yan diminished, making it safe for him to enter.
The white flame in Xiao Yan's hand was none other than the strange fire held by Yao Lao—the Bone Spirit Cold Fire.
Previously, Xiao Yan lost contact with Yao Lao. While examining the ring, he unexpectedly discovered the Bone Spirit Cold Flame within, and surprisingly, he found he had gained the ability to manipulate it. This put Xiao Yan at ease. He guessed that Yao Lao must have sensed the limitations of the Myriad Beasts Space during the teleportation process and deliberately left the Bone Spirit Cold Flame for him. Although he hadn't absorbed it into his body yet, Xiao Yan already possessed the ability to use it.
It must be said that although there are different rankings among the different flames, each one is a true treasure of heaven and earth and has its own unique characteristics.
Currently, the problem that the higher-ranked Red Lotus Karmic Fire cannot solve can be solved by the Bone Spirit Cold Fire.
Feeling that the consumption of Dou Qi by the Bone Spirit Cold Flame had significantly decreased, Xiao Yan finally stared at the center of the miasma and licked his lips. After all, it was a secret realm suspected to be the inheritance of a Venerable, and it would be a lie to say that he was not tempted.
Before Xiao Yan could make a move, several people walked up to him.
"What is your name, brother?" During Xiao Yan's experiment, some of the auras that had been watching him earlier walked up to him.
Xiao Yan looked at the three people in front of him. Their auras were not weak, and they had all entered the Dou Wang realm.
The leader said kindly, "Friend, there's no need to be nervous. I just saw that you were able to deal with the poisonous miasma. Why don't we join forces? You can take the spoils first."
Xiao Yan immediately understood. There were quite a few people like Wu Shuang who had discovered this place, although Wu Shuang felt she had no way to leave. However, many more were unwilling to give up this opportunity, but they did not have the means to break through the poisonous miasma, so they could only wait outside and try their luck.
These three people in front of him, seeing that his cultivation level was only low-star Dou Huang, wanted to join forces.
"Sorry, I'm used to being alone."
"Brother, although I see you have the ability to deal with the poisonous miasma, you are outnumbered and outmatched. The Lion Nether Sect members have already gone in. It would be beneficial for both of us to cooperate."
The leader tried to persuade him earnestly, but Xiao Yan looked at them strangely. He circulated his Dou Qi, flicked the Bone Spirit Cold Flame in his hand, and the area ten feet in front of him turned into solidified ice. Without looking back, Xiao Yan leaped into it.
The remaining three stood there dumbfounded. Only when other auras swept past them and rushed into the path created by Xiao Yan did they snap out of their daze and follow them in.
Xiao Yan, who was leading the way, didn't make any unnecessary moves when he sensed those following him to take advantage of the situation. Those who couldn't even break through the poisonous miasma on their own didn't have a chance to cause him much trouble. The Ancient Spirit Cold Flame's ability to clear the poisonous miasma was extraordinary, and Xiao Yan smoothly passed through it. After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Xiao Yan felt the poisonous miasma around him gradually thinning.
As Xiao Yan increased his speed, a completely non-toxic area appeared in the center of the poisonous miasma. This area was centered around a large pool of water. Upon arriving at this place, he felt a sense of relief, and the mental fatigue brought on by days of battle was alleviated without him even realizing it.
"It seems to be a treasure land indeed!" Xiao Yan thought to himself.
Of course, Xiao Yan still had some doubts about why the fog disappeared, but before he could find out the reason, he was attracted by the fierce battle on the other side of the pool.
Although the poisonous miasma is troublesome, a considerable number of powerful individuals have managed to enter it using their own methods, and there are already more than ten people inside.
Everyone, including Xiao Yan, gathered around the two sides of the battle arena, and Xiao Yan discovered that he actually knew both of them.
On one side stood a flamboyant figure with striking red hair and a height exceeding two meters—Shi Han, the leader of the Lion Nether Sect. At this moment, he held the upper hand.
The other person with a flexible build was Yang Lingyan from the Heavenly Serpent Mansion. Although Lion Fierce's attacks were exceptionally fierce, he managed to maintain a basic balance by dodging left and right. However, Xiao Yan noticed that Yang Lingyan had a rather large wound on his abdomen, which was a further blow to him.
After Xiao Yan entered, the others followed him in, quickly gathering into a group of dozens. Those who had been watching the battle from the pool turned to face him, and the leader arrogantly declared, "The Lion Demon Sect is acting on orders to leave this place within half an incense stick's time, or you will be making enemies of the Lion Demon Sect!"
At the same time, the men behind him also exuded hostility, their intentions quite clear.
At this moment, someone in the crowd said disdainfully, "So what if it's the Lion Nether Sect? Do you think the Myriad Beasts Space is your private property?"
At this moment, the leader released his aura and said with an unfriendly expression, "See that? That's Yang Lingyan from the Heavenly Serpent Mansion. Even the Heavenly Serpent Mansion has to be asked to leave this place. Do you think you can be stronger than the Heavenly Serpent Mansion?"
"It really is Yang Lingyan! It looks like he's about to lose."
"The opponent is Lion Fierce, right? He's supposedly already a Seven-Star Dou Huang, currently ranked ninth on the leaderboard!"
Seeing the situation clearly, many people began to consider retreating. After all, with the Heavenly Serpent Palace and the Lion Nether Sect already involved, the chances of others getting a share were slim. No matter how tempting the inheritance was, that was a matter for later; the Lion Nether Sect's power was right before their eyes. Most of the people who were now obstructing them were not from the Lion Nether Sect, but were simply working for Lion Fierce. Even in the Myriad Beasts Space, the influence of the six major forces remained terrifying.
On the other side, Yang Lingyan, relying on the uniqueness of his cultivation technique, barely managed to hold on against Lion Fierce's relentless attacks, but the gap between him and Lion Fierce's three-star level was still insurmountable. Seeing the actions of Lion Fierce's subordinates, he couldn't help but mock, "The Lion Nether Sect is truly domineering. Not only do they injure those of us who arrived first, but those who come later don't even have a chance to see it. Don't they know that the Venerable's inheritance is meant for everyone?"
Yang Lingyan's words, amplified by the spread of his fighting spirit, resounded throughout the entire area, causing the eyes of the group, who had initially considered retreating, to blaze with renewed fervor.
Lion-like Fierce narrowed his eyes and hummed, "Opportunities are meant for the capable; you'd better worry about your own safety."
Lion's attack became even more ferocious. Yang Lingyan was already close to his limit when Lion seized an opening and slammed him to the ground with a palm strike.
The ground was smashed into a huge crater by the Lion's Fury, and Yang Lingyan, lying in the crater, was in a terrible state, with blood flowing from his mouth.
"The Heavenly Serpent Palace has been struggling with its performance in recent years and is seeking change. I never expected you to be so arrogant as to bully me like this. It seems that after this year's Ten Thousand Beasts Gathering, there will be five top-tier forces."
Lion's voice was already particularly deep, and combined with his actions at this moment, it was as if he were a god of death incarnate.
Bloodthirsty energy condensed on Lion Fierce's body. Lion Fierce looked down at Yang Lingyan, who was lying in the pit, and a terrifying attack came down. Others dared not kill the people of the Heavenly Serpent Mansion, but he dared!
Looking at the terrifying attack of the lion, and feeling the chaos of his own fighting spirit, Yang Lingyan felt a flash of despair in his eyes before closing them.
But the expected attack did not come. Yang Lingyan opened his eyes and saw the boy he had once looked down on.
"Does the reduction of top powers to five mean that the Lion Nether Sect has been removed from the list?" Xiao Yan grinned as he received Lion Fierce's attack.