Departure

After finalizing the itinerary for exploring Ancient Ruins, Lin Ming did not immediately set off in a hurry.

The core objective of this trip is the heaven-defying object that could ignite a life-or-death struggle between the Ancient Void Dragon and the Sky Demon Phoenix clans— the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit!

Although Lin Ming possessed an unparalleled informational advantage due to his precognitive knowledge of the original work, allowing him to grasp the general direction and key points, the real world is not a static script, and even slight deviations can lead to drastically different outcomes.

The specific route, the current true distribution of power in the Beast Domain, detailed intelligence on known competitors, the latest changes in the Restriction surrounding the ruins... these details, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, must be as complete as possible.

As the saying goes, "Sharpening the axe won't delay the work of chopping wood." The more complete the intelligence and the more thorough the preparation, the stronger the ability to cope with changes, and the smoother the work will be. This will also allow you to turn the advantage of foresight into a real victory.

As a result, in the following days, the entire Five Elements Sect operated like a tightly wound, precise machine, running at high efficiency. The elders, deacons, and disciples who were originally in charge of various affairs devoted most of their energy to collecting and analyzing information related to the Ancient Ruins.

Mo Ying's intelligence network was operating at full capacity, with countless hidden streams of information flowing from the Beast Domain and various corners of the Middle Continent, continuously converging on the Five Elements Sect's main hall through secret channels.

Mapping Jade Slip on the latest terrain changes in the Savage Ancient Region; secret reports on the movements of powerful Beast Domain such as the Silver Moon Wolf Clan and the Earth Shaking Tiger Clan; rumors that the Nether Python Clan seemed to have internal disagreements due to various matters and did not immediately send out its strongest lineup; and speculation about the identity of the powerful leader of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan this time, as well as an analysis of their possible travel routes.

Xiao Yi Xian, stationed at the central command, coordinated resources from all sides, categorizing and prioritizing the allocation of various High-Grade Pills, Formation Breaking Talisman, Space Scroll, defensive armor, and other supplies treasured in the sect's treasury to Lin Ming and his group.

With his extensive experience, Elder Yao carefully verified the authenticity of the intelligence and worked with Lin Ming to simulate various possible scenarios and develop several contingency plans.

Qing Lin and Zi Yan were also busy. Qing Lin was getting familiar with the new abilities of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, while Zi Yan was showing off her Medicinal Pill.

Amidst this tense yet orderly preparation, the rest period lasted approximately three days. When the dawn light of the third day tore through the night and emerged from the horizon, the rosy dawn blazed like fire, dyeing the clouds red and rendering the sky like a huge, warm, emerald-colored piece, full of vitality and hope.

On the Five Elements Sect's plaza, the disciples were practicing their morning Cultivation Method in perfect unison, inhaling and exhaling the Spirit Qi of heaven and earth. Suddenly, almost all the disciples turned their gazes toward the sky.

There, several figures stood against the wind, their robes fluttering, appearing like immortals descending to earth against the backdrop of the brilliant morning glow.

The leader was none other than the Sect Master, Lin Ming, dressed in a green robe, with a tall and straight figure and calm yet profound gaze, as if containing the stars and the sea.

To her left, Zi Yan, dressed in a purple outfit, exuded an undeniable and powerful Qi and Blood despite her petite frame. Her large, amethyst-like eyes were filled with excitement and anticipation.

On the right, Qing Lin wore a light green dress, her face was beautiful, and the three-flower phantom in her emerald green eyes slowly rotated, adding a touch of mystery and eeriness.

Behind him stood Xiong Zhan, towering like an iron tower, his muscles bulging and exuding a fierce aura.

In addition, several core Dou Zong elders and disciples skilled in detection, Restriction, and healing accompanied them, their expressions solemn and their eyes sharp.

A gentle breeze swept by, bringing with it the fresh scent of distant mountains and vegetation, and also ruffling the hair on everyone's foreheads.

"Lin Ming, the Beast Domain Dragon Snake, and the Ancient Ruins are fraught with danger. Remember to be extra careful and prioritize your own safety. If you encounter trouble that you cannot overcome, retreat immediately!" Elder Yao arrived through the air, his beard and hair fluttering slightly in the morning breeze. Looking at the group who were ready to depart, he gave them a deep and solemn warning, his tone full of concern and gravity.

Xiao Yi Xian also flew over and landed beside Elder Yao. She looked at Lin Ming, her clear eyes filled with undisguised concern. "Be careful, we'll wait for you to come back."

All those words ultimately boil down to the simplest and most sincere wish.

Feeling their concern, Lin Ming smiled reassuringly. He looked at Elder Yao and Xiao Yi Xian, his voice gentle yet confident. "Don't worry! Elder Yao, Xiao Yi Xian, I'll be fine. The sect is in your care again."

After speaking, Lin Ming said no more, turned his gaze to Qing Lin, and nodded slightly.

Qing Lin understood, stepped forward, and suddenly azure light condensed in his eyes. The Three Small Flower Phantoms seemed to come alive, spinning rapidly. A powerful Soul Fluctuation and the pressure of Magical Beasts spread out.

The next moment, a deep hiss was heard, and a huge black shadow roared out from Qing Lin's sleeve, growing larger in the wind!

In the blink of an eye, Giant Python, over a hundred feet long and covered in dark scales, coiled in mid-air.

The Giant Python's head was ferocious, its eyes like two enormous, eerie green lanterns, its cold, vertical pupils sweeping across the surroundings, sending chills down the spines of some of the lower-level disciples below. A faint black mist swirled around it, and the energy fluctuations it emitted had reached the Eighth Order, equivalent to a human Dou Zun expert!

This is the ancient, exotic species— the Nine Profound Nether Python— perfectly controlled by Qing Lin's Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils!

Not only is it incredibly powerful, but it also possesses excellent stealth and the ability to traverse Mountain Forest, making it the perfect mount and trailblazer for this journey.

The Giant Python was revealed, its massive body casting a shadow that covered almost half the square, creating an incredibly strong visual impact.

Without further delay, Lin Ming waved his hand and moved slightly, landing lightly on the ferocious python's head like a falling leaf. He stood with his hands behind his back, his robes fluttering in the high-speed airflow.

"Set off!"

At his command, Zi Yan let out a clear cheer, and with a sway of her body, she appeared beside Lin Ming. Qing Lin, Xiong Zhan, and the other Dou Zong elders and disciples also moved swiftly, landing steadily on the broad, platform-like back of the python.

"Hold head high--!"

The Nine Profound Nether Python let out a hiss that pierced through the clouds. With a gentle flick of its massive tail, it stirred up a gust of wind, then transformed into a dark streak of light and swiftly sped toward the massive mountain gate exit of the Five Elements Sect.

Its speed far exceeded that of ordinary Dou Zong, and in the blink of an eye, it turned into a small black dot and disappeared into the gazes of many Five Elements Sect disciples, a mixture of awe, envy, and blessings.

After leaving the Five Elements Sect's territory, Lin Ming and his group rode the Nine Profound Nether Python westward, heading towards the vast and boundless Beast Domain, filled with a primitive and savage aura.

The Middle Continent Qi Dou Qi Continent is vast and boundless. Even with the astonishing speed of the Nine Profound Nether Python, Eighth Order Magical Beast Domain, and by using the Space Wormhole of several large cities along the way, it still took more than half a month to travel from the core area of Nine Profound Nether Python to the Beast Domain in the southwest of the continent.

Over the past two weeks, they have traversed continuous mountain ranges and crossed vast rivers. Along the way, they have witnessed various local customs and encountered some ignorant bandits or local forces that tried to test them. However, Lin Ming usually did not need to take action. The fierce aura emanating from Xiong Zhan or the terrifying pressure of the Nine Profound Nether Python was enough to make most of the troubles disappear on their own.

Lin Ming spent most of his time sitting quietly on the python's head, seemingly resting with his eyes closed, but in reality, he was constantly deducing the various possibilities of the trip to the ruins in his mind, while also constantly familiarizing himself with and consolidating the various profound applications of the Heavenly Soul.

He could clearly sense the energy flow within a radius of a hundred miles, and could even vaguely detect some subtle Space Wrinkle hidden deep in the void.

Zi Yan, on the other hand, was full of energy. Sometimes she would stand on the edge of the python's head, looking down at the mountains and rivers rushing past below, and sometimes she would run over to tease the Nine Profound Nether Python, trying to make it fly faster.

Qing Lin quietly cultivated, forging a deeper spiritual connection with the Nine Profound Nether Python, making its control increasingly effortless. Xiong Zhan, like the most loyal guardian, remained vigilant about their surroundings at all times.

On this day, as the afterglow of the setting sun once again dyed the clouds on the horizon orange-red, Lin Ming, who had been sensing with his eyes closed, slowly opened them. His gaze fell upon what seemed to be the end of the world, and a look of solemnity and anticipation appeared on his face.

Following his gaze, at the edge of the field of vision, the land began to present a completely different landscape.

No longer the relatively regular mountains and plains of the Middle Continent, but an endless, seemingly limitless mountain range. These mountains stretch one after another, layer upon layer, extending to the limit of vision, merging with the dim skyline.

Within the mountains, ancient trees reach for the sky, many exceeding a thousand feet in height with canopies reaching into the clouds, exuding an incomparably ancient and primitive aura.

Thick clouds and mist lingered among the mountains, and even from a distance, one could feel the wild and turbulent Heaven and Earth Energy contained in that region, as well as countless fierce auras of varying strengths emanating from it.

The sky there seemed even lower and darker, an invisible sense of oppression emanating from across the distance.

We've arrived.

Lin Ming's calm voice broke the silence.

Zi Yan, Qing Lin, Xiong Zhan, and the others stood up, their eyes fixed intently on the vast and boundless Hundred Thousand Mountains.

This is the gathering place of the Monster Beast Clan on the Dou Qi Continent, where the Law of the jungle—survival of the fittest—is most blatantly displayed.

Beast Domain!

The atmosphere instantly became tense and oppressive. The ancient ruins of Lin Ming Ancient Dou Sheng Ruins, which contained the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, and their destination, were hidden in the Skeleton Mountain Bone Mountain Range of mountains and seas.