"It's finally done!"
Sensing the surge of energy at the bottom of the pool, Jiang Yun lightly smiled and said softly.
"Roar——"
A resonant dragon roar echoed, accompanied by a powerful wave of spiritual energy from the depths of the pool. In the next moment, a dragon shadow burst out of the water, bathed in crimson light.
The entire hall turned remarkably heated, attributed to the heat radiating from Zi Yan's body. As Zi Yan's body surface turned red, tiny beads of blood began seeping out, dripping down her scorching dragon scales with a sizzling sound, releasing a subtle white mist that rose up.
Sizzle!
The sound grew more frequent, and beads of blood continuously seeped out from Zi Yan's body, only to evaporate afterward, shrouding her body in a thin layer of white mist.
"She's pushing herself too hard!" Medusa frowned, watching Zi Yan endure the painful transformation, her voice tinged with mild concern.
"Indeed, she's in a bit of a rush. But we made some gains this time. Otherwise, this girl would be suffering more," Jiang Yun rebuked Zi Yan lightly. Zi Yan's cultivation wasn't as advanced as Medusa's, making this physical transformation particularly strenuous.
Moreover, given the robust physique of the Ancient Void Dragon, the pain Zi Yan endured surpassed Medusa's by far. This time, Zi Yan indeed acted impulsively.
Looking at Zi Yan's determined eyes, Jiang Yun's heart twinged. With a firm grip, he took out a jade-green pill emitting a subtle fragrance and glow, releasing a pure wave of energy.
This was an Immortal Elixir acquired from the pill room, partially aiding the body refinement process. Seizing the right moment, Jiang Yun flicked his wrist, sending the pill accurately into Zi Yan's mouth. As the pill dissolved, its mysterious power swiftly permeated her flesh and blood.
With the elixir's support, Zi Yan's condition stabilized. Although she continued to endure immense pain, she was on the right path, nearing completion.
Seeing this, both Jiang Yun and Medusa felt relieved, quietly waiting for Zi Yan's success.
Holy Ruined Mountain!
Legend has it that in ancient times, many powerful beings fell on this battlefield, including a transcendent sage. This residual power laid a strange pressure on the cliffs, inhibiting the birth of intelligent life for tens of thousands of years.
Located behind the grand hall, Jiang Yun and his two companions arrived at the central region marked on their map. By now, Zi Yan successfully completed her body refinement, though she couldn't escape Jiang Yun's scolding, which she brushed off with a silly grin.
Jiang Yun, left resigned, patted her forehead and warned her not to repeat the recklessness. The trio then hurried towards Holy Ruined Mountain. Along the way, they encountered other groups. But trust was absent among everyone in such a place, leading to no socializing as they brushed past each other towards their destination.
The mountain range was desolate, devoid of life, as if it had been ravaged by some destructive force. Even after thousands of years, life had yet to return. Scanning the surroundings, the group's sharp senses could vaguely detect the lingering presence of terrifying power within the barren landscape.
It appeared to be two opposing and distinctly different forces.
"What a terrifying power. If the legends are true, there might indeed be a heavenly supreme legacy here," Medusa's expression turned grave as she solemnly remarked.
These residual powers, despite the passage of countless years, remained extraordinarily fearsome, hinting that the heavenly supreme's might far exceeded her expectations.
"We're about to meet the pinnacle figures of this relic. Protect yourselves; the legacy is secondary to your safety," Jiang Yun seriously advised the two women.
After acknowledging his words, they swiftly proceeded forward, heading towards an accumulation of powerful auras.
"Be cautious!"
The closer they got, the more formidable the spiritual energy fluctuations became, with thousands in the Heavenly Transcendent Realm present. This area likely housed all the masters in the relic. The place became a mix of dragons and serpents, with its unpredictability evident.
As they neared the gathering point, Jiang Yun cautioned the two women through their mind link. Both Medusa and Zi Yan nodded, understanding that those who had lasted this long were no easy targets, and any conflict would undoubtedly be troublesome.
In a blink, they arrived at the edge of the gathering, attracting some attention before it quickly shifted away. This place constantly saw teams and powerful individuals arriving, making their arrival nothing special.
Moreover, two in body refinement and one in the Heavenly Transcendent Realm were not top-tier threats. However, Zi Yan and Medusa's beauty and alluring figures still drew many curious looks.
In such an environment where powerful teams gathered, most retained some rationality. Otherwise, bold attempts at socializing would have long occurred. Nevertheless, the invasive gazes made the two women slightly chilly.
"It's them!" When Huo Du saw Jiang Yun, an expression of surprise crossed his face, clearly recalling the young man who had left a peculiar impression on him.
"Do you know them, Brother Huo Du?" Wu Ming, always by Huo Du's side, noticed his reaction and followed his gaze to Jiang Yun's group, asking curiously.
To leave an impression on Huo Du surely implied they weren't ordinary. However, he couldn't pinpoint anything extraordinary apart from their looks.
"We've met once," Huo Du replied flatly and then fell silent. The sight of Jiang Yun, who previously stirred his internal flame, no longer evoked that anomaly, making him doubt his past experience as mere illusion.
Was it just a coincidence?
"A perceptive fellow," Jiang Yun thought as he observed the surroundings, particularly noting Huo Du from his peripheral vision.
The trio's arrival did not cause a stir; everyone resumed their activities, whether resting or trading. Despite being a fragment of a continent, the area remained vast, impossible for a single person to explore fully in a short span. With numerous fallen masters, treasures abound, instigating impromptu trade zones.
People gathered not only to rest but also for convenient trading. Walking through the bustling trading area, Jiang Yun, Medusa, and Zi Yan observed the hustling crowd and numerous scattered stalls displaying various peculiar items.
These items bore an ancient aura, with signs of age, adding a touch of antiquity. Adorning the stalls, bits and pieces of various relics emitted occasional streaks of spiritual energy.
Despite browsing an array of ancient treasures, most turned out to be deceptive items. Zi Yan, casting her glance around, eventually turned back with clear disdain.
"They're all junk!" Her muttered complaint did not escape Jiang Yun and Medusa's ears.
Jiang Yun chuckled, knowing true treasures wouldn't be casually traded. Such items were likely meant to entice unsuspecting buyers.
Still, there were a few misjudged goods, but Jiang Yun had no intention of trading, given the effort required to explore and restore them. He simply didn't have the time.
Exiting the trading area empty-handed, the trio felt a bit disappointed, realizing that perhaps notable hidden treasures suited for them weren't present.
"Maybe some awaited fortunes in Dou Qi Continent are a better fit," Jiang Yun mused, observing Medusa and Zi Yan's expectant yet unsuccessful attempt at treasure-hunting.
The next day, the trio approached Holy Ruined Mountain. Seeing the immense energy storms and the fragmented space atop the mountains, Jiang Yun realized why others had gathered below despite knowing treasures lay above.
The mountain's peak exuded extreme pressures, trembling even the heavens, making it nearly unreachable.
"What now?" Medusa asked, her expression dour. Though they approached with a nonchalant attitude towards the legacy, confronting this predicament frustrated them.
"We'll wait a bit longer. If it remains unchanged for a few days, we'll leave. We've gained enough already," Jiang Yun decided after waiting seven days, seeing no signs of clearing energy ripples. Contemplating the numerous opportunities back at Dou Qi Continent, he chose not to waste further time.
"Let's go. We lack the destiny for this legacy," Jiang Yun quipped with a smile, seeing Medusa and Zi Yan's slight disappointment.
Boom!
Suddenly, explosive spiritual energy fluctuations erupted, accompanied by a strong scent of blood and killing intent, tinting the sky a dark red color.
"What happened?"
The abrupt change startled the trio, who quickly gathered together, with Medusa and Zi Yan alertly scanning their surroundings.
Jiang Yun's dark eyes flickered with a purple light as he exclaimed, "The commotion comes from the gathering spot—something must have happened there!"
Both women gasped at the revelation, considering that place was filled with the relic's formidable entities. Such an upheaval among these powerhouses was alarming.
Exchanging a glance, the trio swiftly sped towards the gathering ground. The previously cleared plain had turned chaotic, with countless figures colliding violently without words, resorting to brutal exchanges of spiritual power and divine techniques.
The scene of this battle was nothing short of tragic.
Jiang Yun and his companions were baffled by the sudden madness among those who had seemed composed days ago.
"Something's wrong. Be careful!" sensing the oddity, Jiang Yun cautiously led Medusa and Zi Yan back, his frightening soul force alert to the slightest disturbance.
The two women didn't need prompting, aware that something was amiss. Jiang Yun, scrutinizing the crowd for answers, noticed Wu Ming, bathed in thunder, wielding terrifying blue-purple lightning, akin to a thunder god, severely injuring foes with each strike. The technique was unmistakably similar to Wu Tong's, hinting at their shared origins.
Meanwhile, Li Yan, with his long spear, dominated the battlefield, his prowess rendering him nearly invincible. But the most fearsome was Huo Du, controlling an unfamiliar crimson flame, unleashing seas of fire that incinerated everything in their path.
The ongoing massacre seemed never-ending, with the three figures likely reducing the place's population drastically.
"Ha, the Heart Demon tribe's divine ability is indeed formidable. These Great Thousand World beings are trash. Heart Kui's mere trick made them slaughter each other. Such rubbish dare defy our Holy Tribe?"
Encased in black mist, a few Flame Demon tribe members sneered at the scene, turning to the central, composed man, their tone flattering.
Receiving the flattery, Heart Kui from the Heart Demon tribe displayed a proud demeanor.
Among the thirty-two tribes, his was second only to the top!
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