Sea of Life-Devouring Flowers

A chill suddenly condensed. Behind Xiao Heng, the tentacle that had shot toward him froze in an instant, the frost spreading downward along its length.

"Croak...!"

The ice shattered, and a green toad several zhang in size leaped into the air. It opened its tooth-filled, foul-smelling, savage maw, apparently intending to swallow Xiao Heng whole.

Xiao Heng's figure flashed, and the toad struck empty air. Before it could attack again, Xiao Heng flicked a finger. A thread of golden light condensed, then shot forth.

The golden light was no larger than a thumb, yet incomparably sharp. It pierced straight through the toad's skull as easily as a knife slicing through tofu.

Then, golden light shone out from within the toad's body.

"Bang...!"

With a deafening blast, before the toad could even react, its body exploded. Chunks of flesh scattered across the ground, their cross-sections smooth as cuts.

Blood and flesh flew everywhere. Xiao Heng casually raised a hand, forming an Ice Mirror before himself that blocked the disgusting mess.

The Ice Mirror dispersed, falling away along with the blood and flesh. Xiao Heng made a grasping motion, and a green Magic Core landed in his hand.

"A Sixth-Tier Magic Core. It has some value, though this Magical Beast seems to have been rather dim-witted."

Xiao Heng spoke casually and did not dwell on it. Perhaps it was because this place was unusual: energy was abundant, yet far more violent than outside. Moreover, aside from the violent energy, the poisonous gas hanging in the air where Xiao Heng stood also proved this place's uniqueness.

Xiao Heng did not notice that soon after he left, creatures emerged from beneath the swamp and among the reeds. There were insects, fish, snakes, and all manner of strange things. They swiftly devoured the scattered flesh,