Hun Yu's strength was formidable, and the Hun Clan's forces were even stronger. With him at the front, the entire formation advanced at an astonishing speed.
The army, numbering over a hundred, formed a tight wedge formation. After all, with savage beasts charging from all directions, even one's enemies seemed like allies in comparison.
Hun Yu took the lead, followed by Jiu Feng of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe and Liu Cang of the Profound Sky Sect. The three major factions together formed a smaller wedge within the formation — clearly, their bond was far more solid than that of the temporary alliance.
They braced the fiercest attacks at the forefront, while most of the beasts were drawn by the dense mass of people behind them.
That was exactly Hun Yu's plan. When so many gathered together, forming a massive moving target, it would naturally attract the majority of the beasts — allowing his own Hun Clan to cut through the Beast Tide with minimal losses and reach the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree first.
It was a perfect scheme — strengthening his advantage while letting others die for him. Why wouldn't Hun Yu be pleased?
Violent Dou Qi streaked through the air, cutting down ferocious beasts in waves. No matter how savage they appeared, in the hands of Hun Yu, Jiu Feng, and Liu Cang, they were little more than prey.
Following close behind, Gu Xun'er was no weaker. Golden flames surrounded her, and any beast that brushed even a wisp of her fire was instantly reduced to ashes.
With her protection, Xiao Yan could advance smoothly. Without her aid, even his formidable strength would've made crossing this Beast Tide a grueling battle.
The others, however, were not so lucky. The tide of beasts seemed endless. When the swarms came crashing down like a flood, human strength could only hold for so long.
Once their Dou Qi ran dry, even a single misstep would mean death. Anyone surrounded was instantly ripped apart and devoured.
In such a place, alliances meant nothing.
Better my ally dies than me!
No one would risk their life to save another's. Instead, they would seize the distraction to flee faster, leaving not a hint of pity behind.
As the horde surged from every direction, Hun Yu and his group pressed forward, indifferent to the chaos behind them. The screams and deaths of others meant nothing.
Their numbers dwindled with every passing breath, yet with each loss, the survivors grew closer to the end of the Beast Tide.
By sheer power, Hun Yu's group broke through first and emerged into the space where the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree resided. The beasts could not follow them here.
Before them stood the colossal tree — thousands of meters tall, its vast canopy shrouded in streams of clear light that occasionally morphed into shapes of all creation. The sacred sight filled the hearts of all who beheld it with blazing desire.
The Bodhisattva Ancient Tree — a treasure capable of allowing one to ascend to sainthood on the spot. Even those of noble bloodlines and tremendous power could not easily take that step, yet this divine tree made it possible.
According to ancient records of the ancient clans, the tree had existed far longer than any clan. It had witnessed even the age when Dou Di's walked the land and possessed power on par with them — enough to intervene in their battles and even slay one among them.
Hun Yu and Jiu Feng kept calm, but Liu Cang's eyes gleamed feverishly. Unable to restrain himself, he lunged toward the tree, only to be stopped by Hun Yu.
Liu Cang glared. "Hun Yu, what are you doing? The Bodhisattva Ancient Tree is right before us! My Profound Sky Sect fought through the Beast Tide as well — don't tell me you plan to hog it all!"
Hun Yu's gaze flicked toward him, the smile never leaving his face though he cursed him inwardly. "Now is not the time to reap rewards. The tree may stand before us, but it is also the most dangerous thing here."
"According to my clan's records, one of our Half Saints once discovered this tree. He sent word back to the clan, but before help could arrive — he vanished without a trace. For safety's sake, we'll move together and assess the situation first."
Liu Cang paled instantly. If even a Half Saint had vanished here, what chance did a mere peak Dou Zun like him have?
Jiu Feng's eyes darkened. His vigilance toward Hun Yu deepened further — cooperating with him was no different from dancing with a venomous serpent.
Soon, golden flames illuminated the skies again as Gu Xun'er burned a path through the lingering beasts, bringing her group into the same clearing.
Spotting Hun Yu, Jiu Feng, and Liu Cang, her brows furrowed. The sight of the towering tree before her — its canopy thick and radiant with flowing qi — filled her with both awe and unease.
Sensing the strange aura, she led her people to the side, recovering their Dou Qi as they quietly observed.
Before long, the remaining powerful teams also arrived. Though bloodied and exhausted, the fierce light in their eyes showed they were true elites.
The weak had long been consumed — not even bones remained.
Hun Yu clapped his hands to draw attention, his warm voice smooth as ever. "It's good to see you all alive, though many familiar faces are missing — a pity indeed."
"Now that the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree lies before us, and we stand as allies, let us advance together. But be cautious. A relic of such age and mystery will never be simple."
His words were elegant and well-crafted, carrying the air of a natural leader. And it worked — many present unconsciously began to see him as one.
"Deceitful words," Xiao Yan muttered coldly.
He knew the Hun Clan too well. No matter how gentle their smiles, beneath their skin they were all rotten to the core.
Still, none could turn back now. Even knowing the danger, they spread out in a fan shape and slowly advanced toward the ancient tree.
What they didn't know was that the five Half Saint puppets once guarding the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree had already been destroyed by Liu Xi, Qing Lin, and the Heavenly Demon Puppet. What awaited them now was the true essence of the tree itself.
As they drew closer, no danger appeared. Instead, under the divine, pure, and tranquil aura of the ancient tree, their injuries and Dou Qi began to recover on their own.
The discovery filled them with joy.
But when they stepped within ten meters of the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree, a blinding golden light burst from its trunk, enveloping them completely.
Before anyone could react, they were all drawn into an illusion — the true Illusory Realm of the Ancient Tree.
It was not a snare meant to trap or destroy, but a divine illusion born from the essence of a hundred lifetimes of reincarnation — a place to temper one's heart and soul.
(End of Chapter)
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