317 - Elasia Saga

The moment after the phantom of Fire Elder vanished, a profound silence enveloped the deep pit, with only the sound of their breathing filling the void among the three individuals present. Fu Yan lifted her gaze to Bai Yue Li, noting the sudden severity in her expression. She paused slightly, immediately realizing that something unfavorable might have occurred again. Opening her mouth slightly, she stepped forward, inquiring, "Senior sister, has something happened in the Demon Realm?" Since the Demon Lord had sent a message through Fire Elder, it was likely related to the Demon Realm. But considering the Demon Lord had resurrected and returned, what else could possibly unfold? Moreover, if the news originated from the Demon Realm, how did it travel to the depths of the primordial forest? While pondering this, Bai Yue Li finally snapped back to reality and began explaining slowly to Fu Yan, saying, "Fire Elder mentioned that recently, many cultivators on the continent have been swarming into the primordial forest." "Ah?" Fu Yan paused, somewhat taken aback, as it didn't seem directly related to affairs in the Demon Realm. "Infiltrating the primordial forest?" Fu Yan recalled her thoughts, equally surprised, and she voiced her curiosity once more: "Why would so many cultivators enter the primordial forest on such a large scale?" Though it was common for cultivators to enter the primordial forest annually for training, or like Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li, to seek opportunities, the current situation clearly felt different. Seeing Fu Yan's puzzled look, Bai Yue Li had no intention of keeping her in suspense and swiftly relayed the information she had gathered. During the period when they both were advancing in cultivation within the Xuyou Jade Seal, the Corpse Ghost Traveler quietly and stealthily entered the primordial forest. However, inexplicably, two years later, his movements were discovered by immortals from the central city. Given the Corpse Ghost Traveler's disposition, it was unlikely he ventured inside merely for training; something of great significance was bound to happen in the forest. This was but a conjecture at first, but somehow, the news spread. Quickly, rumors engulfed the entire continent, suggesting a major chance for fortune in the primordial forest, linked to the bizarre tribulations happening over the years, which greatly piqued the cultivators' interests. Before long, numerous cultivators on the brink of ascension to immortality couldn't restrain themselves and were the first to venture into the forest. Even some immortals from the central city, though skeptical of the absurd rumors, couldn't stay idle. The Corpse Ghost Traveler's strange actions implied he was undoubtedly searching for something. Within these three or four years, matters escalated to the current scenario. In pursuit of smoothly breaking through to immortality, many on the cusp of ascension infiltrated the forest. Some immortals, sensing something significant, also followed suit. Hearing all this, within the pit, Fu Yan slightly furrowed her brows. After a long silence, she finally blurted out, "Corpse Ghost Traveler... and again, the Ghost Corpse Sect." Naturally, Fu Yan's thoughts shifted to the incident in Kunlong Valley. It appeared as if the Corpse Ghost Traveler knew everything from the beginning — from the sealed Divine Executing Sword to Fang Yu becoming an embodiment of the Heavenly Dao, as if everything unfolded according to their plan. For some reason, Fu Yan was deeply convinced her intuition was correct. Therefore, for the Corpse Ghost Traveler to secretly infiltrate the forest alone, a significant event was likely brewing here. Looking up at Bai Yue Li, Fu Yan's mind churned with another question as she asked, "But why would Fire Elder specifically deliver this message to you, senior sister?" "The Demon Lord has also arrived," Bai Yue Li revealed without any hint of surprise to Fu Yan's question, abruptly sharing this fact. "The Demon Lord?" Fu Yan was momentarily stunned but felt no surprise. It seemed the Demon Lord also comprehended what Fu Yan had surmised. Thus, he personally entered the primordial forest—inevitably, the vast forest was about to become lively. Regaining her focus, Fu Yan didn't dwell further on this topic. Instead, she asked, "Does the Demon Lord want us to join him?" To which Bai Yue Li shook her head. It appeared the Demon Lord merely wished to warn them about the Corpse Ghost Traveler. Nevertheless, the vast primordial forest held slim chances for an encounter with him. Fu Yan swiftly realized that whether it be the Corpse Ghost Traveler or any other cultivators, they wouldn’t cross paths for the time being. "Senior sister, let's gather these Nether Demon Flowers first." Fu Yan returned to her senses and glanced around, finally suggesting. "Mhm." Bai Yue Li also emerged from her thoughts about the news, nodding in agreement. In less than half an hour, Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li had picked all the Nether Demon Flowers from the deep pit. As they ascended back, they felt accomplished. Without lingering further, they swiftly left the spot. As the Fire Elder had mentioned, the once quiet primordial forest gradually turned lively. During their training, Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li frequently crossed paths with cultivators from the mainland. Not just peak-stage grandmasters; sometimes, the figures of immortals were also visible. However, neither Fu Yan nor Bai Yue Li intended to meet others. Through their robust mental acuity, they easily avoided various groups, sparing themselves a fair amount of trouble. The primordial forest was vast, and in a blink of an eye, another two years had passed. Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li never encountered the Corpse Ghost Traveler, who seemingly had yet to find what he was looking for. After all, there were no significant disturbances within the forest all along. As for the Life Tree sought by Chu Ling Ling, clues were still elusive. ... Swish! Swish! Amidst the vast forest, a figure emerged haphazardly from the front, clutching his chest as he dashed forward without respite. "Ugh..." He seemed gravely injured, with the blackened blood oozing from his mouth indicating severe poisoning. His face appeared ghastly, as if he had fallen victim to a deadly toxin. Dragging his poisoned body, he eventually stumbled and collapsed to the ground, heaving another mouthful of blackened blood, immediately inducing a violent coughing fit. "Cough! Cough!" Meanwhile, a rustling sound abruptly arose behind him. In the blink of an eye, a figure descended before the man; lifting his gaze slightly, it was none other than the Old Corpse Traveler from the Ghost Corpse Sect. After word spread about the Corpse Ghost Traveler’s entrance into the forest, and witnessing cultivators from across the continent flocking to seize the chance for fortune, the Old Corpse Traveler wasted no time, infiltrating the forest half a year ago. However... He couldn’t establish contact with the Corpse Ghost Traveler, leaving Old Corpse Traveler frustrated. He didn’t understand the Corpse Ghost Traveler's intentions in venturing alone into the primordial forest, perplexed by his solitude. Moreover, no one from the Ghost Corpse Sect received any prior notice. Word only reached them through cultivators outside the sect later. Thus, Old Corpse Traveler found himself in this place now. Due to Fang Yu’s demise, the Sword King Sect had slain numerous disciples from the Ghost Corpse Sect during this period. Hence, upon entering the forest, whenever Old Corpse Traveler encountered a solitary cultivator, he mercilessly killed them. The man on the ground before him was one of his prey. However, this man's abilities were extraordinary. Despite being a peak-stage grandmaster cultivator, he managed to escape. But afflicted by potent corpse poison, all his struggles led to an inevitable death. "You..." The man lifted his gaze, locking eyes with the approaching Old Corpse Traveler, a hint of despair flashing in his eyes. Perhaps, he was destined to meet his end here today. Seeing this, the Old Corpse Traveler sneered coldly, casting a downward glance at the man as if he were a mere ant, and said icily, "Courting death." As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his hand, a terrifying energy rapidly forming. Without hesitation, he directed it toward the man on the ground. A bloodthirsty glint gleamed in his predatory eyes. Whoosh! However, just at the critical moment, a destructive light arrow shot forth from the front, swiftly reaching the Old Corpse Traveler. With a "sizzle," the attack the Old Corpse Traveler launched was instantly shattered by the light, the explosive force subsequently directed at him. In that fleeting moment, he instinctively raised his hands in a defensive gesture. "Buzz" In the next second, a full-force protective barrier appeared before the Old Corpse Traveler. He clenched his teeth, stretching his arms to shield himself. Yet, the powerful light arrow bore down like an electric drill, persistently closing in with blinding sparks igniting in their moment of contention. "Break!" With a surge in strength, the Old Corpse Traveler barely deflected the light arrow, but before he could breathe a sigh of relief, a sword light suddenly flashed. In an instant, the Old Corpse Traveler saw a blade pierce directly through his chest. “Pfft” Blood spurted from the Old Corpse Traveler’s mouth, and he staggered, as if about to collapse at any moment. Despite this, being an immortal body, a single sword strike wasn’t enough to kill him instantly. He swiftly swallowed a few medicinal pills, yet his face remained grim. Just as he was preparing to flee, Bai Yue Li emerged behind him. Hesitating momentarily, he turned back only to see Fu Yan approaching from the front. Clearly, the Old Corpse Traveler was left with no escape route. “It’s...you again.” He recognized Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li instantly, his eyes widening slightly in panic and fear. Fu Yan, observing the Old Corpse Traveler’s somewhat frantic demeanor, let out a soft chuckle. With a swift wave of her hand, a golden light shot out, binding him tightly in place. He couldn’t move at all. Having trapped the Old Corpse Traveler with the power of laws, Fu Yan quickly rushed forward, glancing down at the poisoned man on the ground, who was already unconscious. Fu Yan frowned slightly. This man was none other than Tong Zhen's elder brother, Tong Xiuning.