As the two delved deeper, the surrounding space twisted, and after a dizzying spatial shift, before them appeared an endless sea of black mist.
"It's this annoying aura!" Seeing this black sea, Zi Yan openly showed her disgust, clutching Jiang Yun's arm tightly.
Jiang Yun's heart stirred. He raised his hand, and a green light shield fell upon Zi Yan, which made her complexion much better.
"Xiao Yun, look over there!" After suppressing the disgust in her heart, Zi Yan's eyes darted around, and she couldn't help but shout loudly, pointing ahead.
Jiang Yun focused his gaze, and saw evil energy constantly erupting from afar. Above it, a massive formation appeared, resisting these impacts.
And at the center of that formation, an ancient giant tree stood quietly at the core of the array, as if it had existed there since time immemorial.
This giant tree had a massive trunk, roughly a thousand zhang tall, like a colossal pillar connecting heaven and earth. The gnarled patterns covering its trunk all displayed its ancient aura.
From time to time, faint wisps of clear energy permeated from within the tree, wafting through this space and eroding the evil energy scattered in the air.
"Is that the Bodhi Tree?" Zi Yan was momentarily lost in thought. Even with her usual bluntness, she was awestruck by the giant tree before her.
"This is the Bodhi Tree. It truly is a great marvel. I wonder how much more miraculous the Bodhi Ancient Tree is!" Jiang Yun was also shocked, and couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.
"The Bodhi Tree!" Qing Ming's figure quietly appeared beside Jiang Yun, though Zi Yan couldn't see him. His tone carried a hint of emotion and reminiscence, "Alas, it's already dead!"
"Dead?" Jiang Yun was stunned by the words. He looked closely; that immense vitality couldn't be fake. How could it be dead?
"Don't look at the vigorous vitality contained within it. But look, its roots have already lost all life. Now, it's just the life force left behind from its living days, naturally dissipating. In a hundred years, all of this will be exhausted. And from my observation, in a hundred years, the Soul Devouring Clan's corpse will also dissipate."
"I have to say, that junior was indeed quite astonishing. If not for the limitations of the world, perhaps the Great Thousand World would have gained another Heavenly Sovereign, or even an Immortal Rank expert, it's not impossible!"
Qing Ming spoke to clarify for Jiang Yun, while also feeling some regret for the Pure Lotus Demon Saint's tragic end.
Jiang Yun remained silent. On the Dou Qi Continent, countless brilliant talents were trapped at the Half-Emperor realm due to the lack of source energy, ending their journeys prematurely!
Geniuses such as the Yellow Spring Demon Saint, Pure Lotus Demon Saint, and Xiao Xuan all met regrettable ends because of this.
"I will definitely not end up like them, with regrets!" Thinking of their stories, Jiang Yun secretly resolved in his heart, his longing for strength becoming even more urgent.
"Xiao Yun, look over there!" At this moment, Zi Yan suddenly let out an urgent cry, her voice trembling slightly, as if she was afraid of something.
This was rare for Zi Yan, so Jiang Yun quickly looked over. He saw that in the boundless sea of demonic energy, wisps of clear energy descended. Wherever they passed, the surrounding evil energy frantically eroded them. When the two met, they would erupt in sizzling sounds, and eventually, both would completely evaporate.
And at the source of that evil energy, a ten-thousand-zhang demonic shadow was sealed by several thick chains.
Its body was as black as fine iron, covered in hideous scars. It had eight eyes, four limbs on the ground, and a giant mouth full of black fangs. Moreover, on its massive body, four huge wings stretched out.
At this moment, it lay there quietly, countless evil energies emanating from its body. Even after many years of death, its fierce and evil aura had not weakened in the slightest.
No wonder Zi Yan was afraid!
The gap between a Dou Saint and a Dou King was too vast; it was a crushing difference in life levels.
"Don't be afraid, it's already dead!" Feeling Zi Yan's somewhat cold little hand, Jiang Yun couldn't help but comfort her.
As for himself, he had even seen a Demon Emperor, so how could he be affected by a Dou Saint?
"Hmph, I wasn't afraid at all!" Jiang Yun actually looked down on her, making Zi Yan a little indignant. However, her tightly clenched small hand still betrayed her nervous mood.
"Xiao Yun, there doesn't seem to be anything we can use here!" Jiang Yun's warm palm made Zi Yan calm down. After looking around, she said with some disappointment.
"No, there is!" Jiang Yun said with a smile. Under Zi Yan's puzzled gaze, he looked at the demonic corpse and the Bodhi Tree.
As a Demonic Spirit Clan member, Jiang Yun could cultivate both evil energy and spiritual energy. This demonic corpse could provide him with nourishment for rapid growth.
Although he hadn't decided whether to also cultivate evil energy, a treasure in his arms was a good treasure.
Moreover, since he had already come, there was no reason to return empty-handed. The Bodhi Tree, which contained immense life force, could at least last for a hundred years.
The falling clear energy was a rare good aid on the path of cultivation, and Jiang Yun naturally wouldn't let it go.
After taking the Bodhi Tree, the Soul Devouring Clan's corpse naturally became a problem, and the subsequent troubles had to be resolved properly.
"Grandpa Qing Ming." After making his decision, Jiang Yun spoke in his mind.
"Hehe, since you have this idea, I naturally support it. Fortunately, I've recovered a lot during this time, otherwise, I really wouldn't have the confidence to put away these two big guys." Qing Ming naturally knew what Jiang Yun was thinking and unconditionally supported his idea.
Qing Ming's attitude touched Jiang Yun. Even though Jiang Hong wasn't here, Jiang Yun felt his care!
"Zi Yan, you absolutely cannot reveal anything about what you are about to see, understand?" Getting the answer, Jiang Yun turned to look at Zi Yan, his expression more serious than ever before.
The Qing Ming Pagoda was Jiang Yun's biggest secret, so even if Jiang Yun completely trusted Zi Yan, he was still extremely cautious!
Seeing Jiang Yun's serious expression, Zi Yan was startled, but she also said solemnly, "I will absolutely not reveal a single bit of what happens next, otherwise, I'll never get to eat delicious pills again!"
The very serious atmosphere was immediately turned into something both funny and annoying by Zi Yan.
Jiang Yun's expression made Zi Yan feel embarrassed. Knowing that she seemed to have made a joke, Zi Yan angrily raised her small foot and stomped on Jiang Yun's foot.
"What are you laughing at? I was clearly very serious!"
"Okay, I believe you!" Zi Yan didn't use much force, it felt more like a tickle. Seeing Zi Yan, who was subtly annoyed, Jiang Yun agreed.
"How do you plan to get rid of these?" Seeing Jiang Yun admit his mistake, Zi Yan's mood improved a lot, and she also felt a little puzzled.
Hearing this, Jiang Yun's face showed a mysterious smile. He raised his hand and threw out a treasure pagoda, which rapidly grew in size against the wind!
Next, Zi Yan witnessed the most shocking scene of her life!
At the same time.
Outside, a dishevelled figure was 'spat' out by the spatial passage.
"Pfft—"
The figure was Han Feng. At this moment, he no longer had his usual scholarly elegance. Instead, he was covered in blood, with not a single intact piece of flesh on his body. As soon as he emerged, he spat out a mouthful of black blood.
Han Feng dared not be careless at this moment. He tremblingly took out a jade-green pill emitting a medicinal fragrance from his storage ring and swallowed it whole.
If anyone saw it, they would surely exclaim, because this was a sixth-grade Rejuvenation Pill, rumored to be a healing treasure that could save someone as long as they still had a breath left.
Even with Han Feng's wealth, it was quite valuable. However, at this moment, he couldn't care less. After swallowing the pill, he felt his internal injuries improving, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Han Feng, where do you think you're going—"
Suddenly, a cold voice came from the spatial passage behind him, and Han Feng's face changed drastically.
"Mo Tianxing!" Gritting his teeth, he called out the person's name. Han Feng didn't hesitate for a moment. His figure flickered, and he shot away into the distance.
After Han Feng left, Mo Tianxing's figure slowly appeared in place. At this moment, he was also extremely dishevelled. There were simply too many desperate people in the Black-Corner Region, and with Han Feng enticing them with pills, many people had attacked.
Even Mo Tianxing, as a three-star Dou Zong, felt somewhat overwhelmed!
Looking at the disappearing Han Feng, Mo Tianxing's face was terrifyingly grim. Once Han Feng returned to Maple City, with the connections he had accumulated over the years, it would be difficult for the Black Emperor Sect to retrieve the Bodhi Transformation Saliva.
And if he were to release the news, Mo Tianxing couldn't guarantee that no Dou Zun would be attracted. By then, he probably wouldn't even get a single hair, which put Mo Tianxing in a dilemma.
"Father, where is Han Feng?" The newcomer looked quite young, with a handsome face carrying a hint of effeminacy, clearly a smiling tiger, just like Mo Tianxing.
At this moment, his white robes were also covered in bloodstains, lacking their original elegance and showing a bit more ruthlessness.
It was Mo Tianxing's son, Mo Ya, a Dou Huang expert.
"He got away!"
Mo Tianxing said with a grim and somewhat gritting tone.
"Sect Master, we should immediately head straight to Maple City. Otherwise, once Han Feng recovers, he'll be difficult to deal with!" Qi Shan, the chief Alchemist of the Black Emperor Sect, immediately spoke out.
As an Alchemist, he knew best the rallying power of a master Alchemist, which was evident in the secret realm just now.
"Han Feng is cunning. Since he has escaped, he won't easily show himself without complete assurance!" Mo Tianxing regained his composure and said in a calm tone.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"
Mo Ya and Qi Shan's faces also turned ugly upon hearing this. Just then, countless sounds of rushing air rang out, and figures continuously rushed out of the ruins.
"Where is Master Han Feng? Did he escape the pursuit?"
"Mo Tianxing is there, so it seems Master Han Feng is safe and sound!"
"Hahahaha—in that case, this old man's Breakthrough Emperor Pill is finally within reach. I must thank Sect Master Mo!"
"Indeed, if it weren't for Sect Master Mo, I wouldn't know when I'd get my Dou Ling Pill!"
"…"
At this moment, figures gathered, speaking one after another. Some began to get carried away, completely oblivious to the increasingly grim faces of Mo Tianxing and the others.
Idiots!
Many people cursed inwardly. Why would you rub salt in Mo Tianxing's wounds at this time? The situation was chaotic just now, and Mo Tianxing couldn't possibly be an enemy to everyone. He might not settle scores afterwards. Now that the target of collective fire was gone, Han Feng was safe. It was best to quietly get rich. Speaking out so eagerly now was just adding salt to Mo Tianxing's wounds, wasn't it?
Most people silently distanced themselves from that group, looking at them as if they were already dead.
Sure enough, Mo Tianxing spoke with a gloomy face, "Do you all find Mo to be very amusing?"
"…"
As soon as Mo Tianxing spoke, everyone felt a terrifying killing intent envelop them. Everyone realized that this was a Dou Zong! They had just been badmouthing a Dou Zong!!!
"No, Sect Master Mo, listen to me explain—"
"Explain in your next life!" Mo Tianxing said coldly. He clenched his palm towards the location of the few people, and a terrifying spatial force instantly erupted. Suddenly, everyone felt unable to move.
"Netherworld Hand!" Looking at these people, Mo Tianxing unleashed a full-powered palm strike.
With a "bang—", more than a dozen Dou Kings and Dou Spirits instantly exploded into a bloody mist.
"Hmph—" After dealing with the crowd, the resentment in Mo Tianxing's heart dissipated considerably. He waved his sleeve, and the blood mist in the air instantly vanished.
He coldly swept his gaze over the remaining people: Su Mei, the Gold and Silver Elders, Kui Shan, and others.
Mo Tianxing's face quickly showed a smile again, but this made everyone present raise their guard.
"It seems our Black-Corner Region will soon have another Medicine Saint." Mo Tianxing said with a look of yearning and longing on his face, then turned to the crowd and said, "By then, with the help of a Medicine Saint, Dou Zong and Dou Zun will no longer be a dream. Congratulations to you all!"
Secretly observing the unmoved crowd, Mo Tianxing said no more. He turned to Mo Ya and Qi Shan and said, "Ya'er, Elder Qi, it's time for us to return. We will go to Maple City another day to apologize to the future Medicine Saint!"
"Yes, Father (Sect Master)!" Mo Ya and Qi Shan exchanged glances, then cupped their hands and said.
Watching the three lead the Black Emperor Sect's people away, the remaining people exchanged a few pleasantries and then also took their leave.
As for what Mo Tianxing said, everyone knew full well. They were all old foxes who wouldn't be easily provoked.
Of course, what everyone was thinking in their hearts was only known to themselves.
This Dou Zun's ruins thus came to an end, with Han Feng becoming the biggest winner!
At this moment, no one had yet discovered the missing Yuan Yi and Fan Lao, otherwise, there would probably be another wave of commotion.
A wave of dizziness, and the sensation of landing on solid ground. When I opened my eyes again, I was already in a primeval forest.
"Alright, we've had quite a fruitful harvest this time. It's time to return to the academy and properly digest it!" Jiang Yun's soul force swept around. After confirming there was no danger, he took out a map and slowly said.
"Mm! This time, I'm going to advance to Dou Huang." Zi Yan at this moment had completely lost the shock she had shown in the secret realm, returning to her usual carefree demeanor, and said with high spirits.
"Once I advance to Dou Huang, Xiao Yun, I'll take you to the Black-Corner Region for a good 'stroll'!" Patting Jiang Yun's shoulder, Zi Yan winked mischievously.
Is your 'stroll' a proper one?
"Okay!" Jiang Yun agreed with a smile. He estimated that Zi Yan's advancement this time would definitely take a while. By then, he estimated he would also be a Dou King. With the two of them working together, even a Dou Zong wouldn't be able to stop them.
They would then have the initial capital to venture out into the continent!