Chapter 634: Darkwood Forest!
Darkwood Forest.
Hearing these two words, Ye Qingxue’s expression suddenly turned solemn.
In the entire Azure Void Region, Darkwood Forest was a well-known perilous land.
This massive forest was shrouded in darkness all year round and stretched across dozens of prefectures. Countless terrifying demonic beasts lived within it, and there were even rumors that Rank Nine demonic beasts existed in its depths.
Rank Nine demonic beasts were existences comparable to human Spirit Manifestation Realm experts. Even the weakest among them was not something an ordinary Heavenly Core Realm cultivator could contend with.
Of course, Rank Nine demonic beasts were only legends that no one had truly seen. It was only said that a 9th level Heavenly Core Realm expert had once heard the roar of a demonic beast deep within Darkwood Forest. That roar had crossed hundreds of miles and still caused that 9th level Heavenly Core Realm expert to spit blood and suffer severe injuries.
However, this was only a rumor. No one knew whether it was true or false.
But within Darkwood Forest, Rank Eight demonic beasts were definitely not few in number. Some of the more powerful ones could easily kill a 9th level Heavenly Core Realm cultivator. It could be said that among the several major perilous places in the Azure Void Region, Darkwood Forest ranked first.
Because of this, although the Ironblood Sect was massive, it could not extend its reach into Darkwood Forest. As long as Li Yun could enter Darkwood Forest, he would not have to worry about the threat of the Ironblood Sect for a long time.
During this period, Li Yun had been constantly attacking the Devil Cult’s outposts to create chaos. His goal was to take advantage of the confusion, enter Darkwood Forest, and then reach the cities near Southern Martial Domain.
"Let us go."
Li Yun spoke, and then the two of them headed toward Darkwood Forest.
Three days later, a massive forest appeared before Li Yun and Ye Qingxue.
The depths of the forest were pitch black, like a giant beast that swallowed everything. Even light seemed as if it would be instantly devoured after entering.
This place was none other than the entrance to Darkwood Forest.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Li Yun’s expression changed drastically.
At the entrance of Darkwood Forest, he abruptly sensed an extremely strong threat.
"Hehehe!"
In the next moment, a burst of extremely eerie laughter rang out. Then, from the entrance of Darkwood Forest, a gray-robed middle-aged man walked out.
This gray-robed middle-aged man was none other than the expert at the perfection stage of the 5th level of Heavenly Core Realm under Zhu Yanlei’s command.
"As I expected."
With a cold smile on his face, the gray-robed middle-aged man sneered and said, "Kid, you went through all that trouble to deliberately stir up chaos just so you could fish in troubled waters and sneak into Darkwood Forest. I must say, your plan was well calculated, but unfortunately, it was impossible to hide it from me."
"5th level of Heavenly Core Realm."
Looking at the gray-robed middle-aged man, Li Yun’s expression immediately became solemn.
He had not expected that there would be such a capable person among Zhu Yanlei’s subordinates, someone who had actually anticipated his plan.
Furthermore, this person was a 5th level Heavenly Core Realm expert.
Things had become troublesome now.
"Kid, you do not need to think about running away."
The gray-robed middle-aged man stood with his hands behind his back and said indifferently, "Your strength is at most at the 1st level of Heavenly Core Realm. Facing an ordinary 5th level Heavenly Core Realm cultivator, you might still have a chance to escape, but before me, you have no hope. I advise you to surrender without a fight. That way, we can both save some time."
"Alright."
Li Yun nodded and slowly walked toward the gray-robed middle-aged man.
Just as he reached a distance of only a few dozen meters from him, he suddenly erupted.
Swish!
A total of six hundred and sixty-six precious swords flew out from the Sword-Nurturing Gourd. With the enhancement of the Flowing Cloud Formation Diagram, they erupted with an incomparably sharp aura and fiercely attacked the gray-robed middle-aged man.
At the same time, Li Yun grabbed Ye Qingxue, pushed his speed to the limit, and rushed into Darkwood Forest without looking back.
"Courting death."
The gray-robed middle-aged man snorted coldly.
He seemed to have already anticipated Li Yun’s actions. With a sudden palm strike, his incredibly dense essence qi erupted like a mountain torrent, unleashing unbelievable power.
With one strike, the sword formation composed of six hundred and sixty-six precious swords was directly swatted away.
"Kid, you think you can escape from my hands with only that?"
He sneered, his face full of disdain. With a movement of his body, even without using his full strength, his speed was still faster than Li Yun’s. In just a few breaths, he had almost caught up.
"Kneel down for me."
He suddenly struck out with a palm.
That palm rapidly enlarged like a mountain of flesh, fiercely pressing down toward Li Yun.
"Grand Profound Five Elements Sword!"
At the same time, Li Yun turned around and abruptly swung his sword.
A Sword Qi a hundred feet long erupted with dazzling five-colored light. The radiance was so intense and brilliant that it was almost impossible to look at directly.
The Grand Profound Five Elements Sword was known as the strongest sword technique at the Heavenly Core Realm level. Combined with Li Yun’s current Sword Intent, the power of this strike was enough to injure even a 5th level Heavenly Core Realm expert.
Slash!
In an instant, a small section of that mountain-like palm was sliced off. The gray-robed middle-aged man felt a sharp pain and could not help withdrawing his hand.
"Go."
Taking this opportunity, Li Yun grabbed Ye Qingxue and used his full speed to rush toward the entrance of Darkwood Forest. In an instant, the two charged into that pitch-black forest.
It was not that Li Yun was afraid of the gray-robed middle-aged man. It was just that if he fought a full battle with him here, the fight would be extremely difficult, and Ye Qingxue might be injured because of it.
Because of that, Li Yun decided to use other methods at his disposal.