Encirclement

The Flowing Fire Boat, transformed into a silver streak of light, plunged headlong into the enormous Space Wormhole of Li Huo City. The surrounding scenery was instantly replaced by the flowing silver light, and it once again entered that silent and strange passage.

The Flowing Fire Boat glided smoothly through the silver Space Passage, surrounded by the ever-changing, Radiant Flow. However, shortly after entering the wormhole, Zi Yan, who was peering curiously from the ship's side, suddenly let out a soft "Eh," her delicate brows furrowing slightly, and a hint of doubt flashing in her large, amethyst-like eyes.

Just a moment ago, she felt a strange sensation, extremely faint yet carrying a certain bloodline resonance, rising inexplicably within her, as if some Same Origin Existence had brushed past her in the endless depths of the void.

But the feeling came quickly and went just as fast, like sand slipping through her fingers; before she could even process it, it had vanished without a trace. Zi Yan blinked, tossed her long purple hair, and muttered softly, "Strange..."

She attributed this to the inherently unstable Spatial Fluctuations within the Space Wormhole, without delving deeper, and was soon drawn back to the unchanging silvery scene outside the window.

Unbeknownst to her, at the very same moment, in Chaotic Void Land some unknown distance from this stable Space Passage, a dark figure sitting cross-legged, radiating Terrifying Dragon Might's might, suddenly opened its tightly closed eyes. Those pupils were Pure Dark Gold!

However, at the same very moment, in a hidden crevice deep within the Dou Qi Continent, a massive, towering black figure sat cross-legged with its eyes closed, emanating a terrifying aura that sent chills down one's spine.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes wide, and his pupils were as bright as the purest gold!

"Hmm?" The shadowy figure frowned, a hint of surprise and uncertainty on its face. "Just now... I seemed to sense the aura of someone of the same kind? Moreover... the bloodline purity was extremely high, and even... carried a faint trace of the pressure of a superior being?"

As Ancient Void Dragon Clan, they possess an extremely keen sensitivity to their own kind, especially those of High Bloodline. The fleeting sensation they had just experienced, though so faint as to be almost negligible, contained an ancient and noble quality that resonated deeply within them, shaking their very soul.

"How could I sense such an aura inside? How could there be a kin with such blood? Could it be Royal Bloodline that has been lost? But I haven't heard of any of the Dragon King's offspring being lost! Oh well, whatever the case, I'll go check it out."

Thinking it over, the shadowy figure abruptly stood up, no longer able to remain calm. Whether the sensation was real or not, it involved the Royal Bloodline that might be scattered abroad, and he couldn't afford to be careless! He immediately abandoned his original patrol route, his Space Power surging instantly as he carefully captured that faint, long-dissipated sensation. With a swift movement, he Space-Tearing and chased after the general direction. He had to find out!

The journey inside the Space Wormhole, aided by the Flowing Fire Boat, was even faster than expected. In less than five days, the white dot representing the exit ahead had grown from almost imperceptible to the size of a disc, emitting a stable glow.

"Ready to go out." Lin Ming steered the Space Ship, gradually slowing its speed.

As the Space Ship shuddered slightly, piercing through the Space Membrane and returning to the bright sunshine and fresh air of the outside world, an atmosphere far more bustling and vibrant than that of Li Huo City or even Blazing Flame Valley rushed towards it.

Passing through the exit, there is a huge, vast stone platform. The platform is entirely made of snow-white rock, and it is thirty or forty feet high, with a dozen or so giant stone pillars supporting its base.

"As expected of the Middle Continent! It truly is the center of the continent; even this Space Wormhole is more impressive than anywhere else!" Lin Ming sighed softly in admiration.

The three then left the stone platform and came to the street. Towering buildings stood side by side, the streets were wide and bustling with traffic, and there were many powerful figures among the pedestrians. Dou Wang and Dou Emperor were everywhere, and occasionally one could even sense the aura of Dou Zong level.

Looking at the magnificent buildings and the endless stream of people on both sides of the street, and seeing a person dressed in alchemy clothes walk by from time to time, even the Medicinal Fragrance of pills in the air seemed to become stronger. Lin Ming and his companions were filled with emotion. The Central Region Core was indeed extraordinary.

"Wow! It's so lively here!" Zi Yan looked at the bustling crowds and various shops below, her purple eyes shining, instantly forgetting the little doubts she had about the wormhole.

Xiao Yi Xian nodded slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in her cool eyes. The prosperity here indeed far surpassed any city in the Northwest Continent.

Now that they were here, and not far from the Ye Family's location, the three decided to rest for a while and take a stroll around to appreciate the scenery of Central Region Core.

They strolled along a main road, experiencing the local customs and culture of the Central Region. Shops lined both sides of the street, selling all kinds of elixirs, weapons, Cultivation Method Scrolls, and rare treasures from all over the continent, dazzling the eyes.

However, this rare period of leisure did not last long.

Just as they were crossing a relatively secluded covered bridge connecting two bustling areas, the surrounding temperature suddenly dropped without warning! A biting chill, as if winter had arrived, instantly enveloped the area, and even tiny ice crystals condensed in the air!

"Swish, swish, swish!"

More than ten figures emerged like ghosts from the surrounding shadows and from the end of the covered bridge, surrounding the three of them. These people were all dressed in ice-blue robes with snowflakes and valley patterns embroidered on their chests. They exuded Bone-Chilling Cold Air and their eyes were indifferent and full of hostility.

The leader was an old man with a withered face and sinister eyes, holding Ice Blue Snake Head Cane. His aura was the most powerful, reaching the level of Nine-Star Dou Zong! The chilling pressure he exuded was more than ten times stronger than the Ice River Valley scouts they had encountered before!

Beside him stood two middle-aged men who bore a striking resemblance to Lin Ming and his companions, both possessing the aura of Seven-Star Dou Ancestor. Their eyes were icy cold as they stared at Lin Ming and his group.

Following them were five or six Dou Zong cultivators with strength ranging from one to Five Stars, and more than ten disciples at the Dou Emperor stage. This lineup was truly formidable, clearly indicating that Ice River Valley was serious this time and determined to win!

The sudden turn of events terrified the few other pedestrians on the covered bridge, who fled in panic, fearing they would be drawn into the terrible conflict.

Of course, there were also some slightly bolder individuals who stood at a distance, watching the dozens of figures on the covered bridge emanating a powerful chill that altered the surrounding environment, with tiny snowflakes falling from them. They immediately began to discuss among themselves.

"These... these are all people from Ice River Valley?"

"That's right. But Ice River Valley is getting bolder and bolder, daring to intercept people in the street like this!"

"Shh! You'd better keep your voice down! Didn't you see that Ice River Valley has sent out all its high-level combatants this time, except for their Valley Master and the Great Elder, who are both Dou Venerate?"

"The person at the very front, leaning on the Ice Blue Snake Head Cane, is Bing She. He is a Peak Dou Ancestor Zong, and it is said that he has already stepped one foot into Dou Venerate. His Ice Venerate Strength is unfathomable. Moreover, some people speculate that he will probably soon be like the Great Elder of Ice River Valley who stepped into Dou Venerate ten years ago."

"The two men beside him who look so alike are no ordinary people either. They are brothers named Bing Xuan and Bing Hua. When they join forces, they can hold their own against someone with a higher cultivation level."

"There are so many ordinary Dou Zong elders and dozens of Dou Emperor disciples here. Such a lineup... tsk tsk tsk, I wonder what these three in the middle did to offend Ice River Valley, to make them send out such a lineup."

Seeing the Ice River Valley group surrounding him, Lin Ming's eyes instantly turned cold. He shielded Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan behind him, his gaze sweeping over the uninvited guests before finally settling on the leader, Elder Heavenly Serpent: "Ice River Valley? They're truly persistent."

Elder Heavenly Serpent's venomous gaze didn't immediately fall on Lin Ming, but instead remained fixed on Xiao Yi Xian. His cloudy eyes blazed with barely concealed greed and fervor. "Indeed, it's the Woeful Poison Body! Such pure aura... Haha, truly a blessing from heaven for my Ice River Valley!"

After speaking, Tian She reached up and touched behind his ear. There was a dark brown scar there, with some unsightly pits, looking as if a piece of flesh had been scooped out. It would make anyone who saw it feel disgusted.

Lowering his hand from behind his ear, Tian She turned his gaze to Lin Ming, his voice hoarse as if rubbing against ice. "Lin Ming, regarding your killing of the Old Man Demonic Desire Subordinate Sect my valley, I may temporarily refrain from pursuing the matter out of respect for Blazing Flame Valley. However, this woman possesses the Woeful Poison Body, the Source of World's Ultimate Poisonous Calamity. Keeping her alive will surely cause great harm! My Ice River Valley has a responsibility to bring her back to suppress and Purified! Hand her over, and I will allow you two to leave."

His words were eloquent and respectable, but the greed in his eyes betrayed his true intentions. For the Ice River Valley, which cultivates ice-attribute Cultivation Method, the Woeful Poison Body, if mastered, would undoubtedly be a Terrifying Great Weapon. Furthermore, their valley possessed a secret technique; with a genuine Woeful Poison Body, cultivating this technique would be of immeasurable value.

"You old geezer, you're talking nonsense!" Before Lin Ming could even speak, Zi Yan's face was already flushed with anger. She waved her fist and cursed, "You old geezer! If you want to take Xiao Yi Xian away, you'll have to get past my fists first!"

Xiao Yi Xian's eyes were icy cold, Gray Poison Dou Qi began to swirl uncontrollably around her, causing the stone slabs beneath her feet to hiss and corrode. Take her away to "Purified" her? What a joke!

Lin Ming stepped forward, completely shielding Xiao Yi Xian behind him. His eyes were sharp as knives as he stared directly at Tian She, his voice cold and resolute. "Want to take her away? Unless you step over my dead body. And you, Tian She, are not qualified!"