Sikong Family, Duan Jian

After a dizzying whirl, the group successfully entered Black Prison.

"Wow, it's so dark in here," Lu Piao exclaimed.

"Don't worry. This should be a space created by some powerful expert, just like the Sky Fantasy Sacred Realm," Nie Li reassured them.

Squeak, squeak.

As they spoke, several ill-timed noises rang out. Their source was a few short Monster Beasts not far away, with reddish-brown skin.

"Huh? What are these things? They're so ugly," Lu Piao complained.

Nie Li carefully examined the little creatures before him, and his expression suddenly changed drastically.

"Run!"

Before the others could react, countless companions suddenly emerged from the black mist behind those Monster Beasts and charged at them.

Under Nie Li and Shangguan Ye's cover, everyone began to flee.

"Nie Li, what are those things? How can there be so many of them?" Du Ze asked, turning back.

"They're Red Ghosts. Individually, they're only Silver Rank, but there are an enormous number of them. They're also pack Monster Beasts. Once they spot prey, they swarm over it."

"Nie Li, take them and run ahead. I have plenty of Battle Skills. I'll hold them back," Shangguan Ye said.

"I nearly forgot. You've already reached Black Gold Peak without anyone noticing. Why talk about holding them back? You could handle them alone, couldn't you? Why not let them join the fight too and use this chance to gain some experience for dealing with the Beast Tide later?" Nie Li suggested.

"That works."

"Everyone, fight back together! If anyone can't hold on, shout out! Nie Li and I will support you!"

Hearing this, everyone's confidence immediately soared. They all fused with their demon spirits, turned around, and charged into the Red Ghost horde.

Brilliant, multicolored Battle Skills burst forth like fireworks.

Shangguan Ye did not hold back either, unleashing all sorts of area-of-effect skills.

Wood Style: Nativity of a World of Trees

Countless vines erupted from the ground, shredding innumerable Red Ghosts within them. Just as Shangguan Ye was fighting to his heart's content, a sudden stabbing pain struck his Sea of Soul.

"Hiss, what's going on?" Shangguan Ye quickly created several Shadow Clones to stabilize the battle while he sat down and began examining his Sea of Soul.

Shangguan Ye's consciousness entered his Sea of Soul. He saw a membrane covering its surface, with a seed at the very center. The membrane above it resembled soil.

Shangguan Ye slowly approached it. After sensing it carefully, the corners of his mouth curled upward.

"So it's the Divine Tree. I was wondering how I would enter Six Paths Mode here. I didn't expect such a pleasant surprise."

Shangguan Ye also discovered that the residual Soul Power from the Red Ghosts he had just slain had all entered his Sea of Soul and become nourishment for the Divine Tree.

Shangguan Ye carefully sensed that membrane again. It was soft, yet sturdy, as though it required a vast amount of Soul Power to break through.

"From the looks of it, I need to break through this membrane first and make the Divine Tree sprout before I can advance to Legendary Rank." Shangguan Ye thought it over. In other words, only by killing enemies could the Divine Tree continue to grow.

"Fine. There's no need to rush. The Beast Tide afterward will be the best opportunity to break through." Having figured it out, Shangguan Ye withdrew from his Sea of Soul.

By then, the Red Ghosts had almost all been cleared out.

"Let's keep moving," Nie Li said, leading everyone onward. After walking for a while, they spotted a stone stele in the distance, and Nie Li went forward alone.

"This is... Emperor Kongming? Him again. These are the Ten-Character Mantra he left behind: The boundless originally has no beginning; without beginning, there is no end..." Nie Li earnestly comprehended the Ten-Character Mantra, and his Soul Power continuously rose.

Seeing Nie Li's strength steadily increase, everyone was happy for him.

After a while, Nie Li finished his comprehension and led everyone onward.

"There are lights ahead. Is that a village?" Lu Piao asked, pointing forward.

"Everyone, be careful. Shangguan and I will go take a look."

"Let's go."

Shangguan Ye and Nie Li quickly approached. Towering giant trees were everywhere, making the area easy to hide in.

"There's a mine over there. So much Crimson Blood Essence. Shangguan, let's go take a look—"

"Shh, someone's coming." Shangguan Ye covered Nie Li's mouth. Only after a while did a figure enter Nie Li's sensory range.

A curvaceous woman emerged from the dense bushes ahead, with a pair of silver wings on her back.

"Who are you?" Sikong Hongyue tightened her grip on her sword. The auras of these two were unfathomable, especially the one in white.

Nie Li reacted quickly and spoke first.

"We are merchants traveling the world. We entered this place by accident and mean no offense. My ancestors also came from the Silver Brilliance Family." Seeing Sikong Hongyue's appearance, Nie Li deduced that she was from the Silver Wing Family.

"The Silver Brilliance Family did indeed intermarry with our family many years ago, and our relationship was very close." Much of Sikong Hongyue's wariness faded.

"What are your names?"

"My name is Lei Zhuo, and this is my friend, Shangguan Ye."

"The Silver Brilliance Family does indeed use Lei as its surname. Come with me. I'll take you to meet my father." Sikong Hongyue had already decided they were good people and lowered her guard.

"Thank you, Your Highness." The two followed Sikong Hongyue to a palace atop a giant tree.

The three passed through a corridor and saw a black-winged person bound to a pillar, being mercilessly whipped. Yet his body was exceptionally strong; even under such torture, he had suffered only superficial wounds.

"His name is Duan Jian. He was born to someone from our Silver Wing Family and someone from our enemy, the Black Dragon Family. This is a warning to the Black Dragon Family." Sikong Hongyue's eyes were full of contempt when she looked at Duan Jian, while Duan Jian's face was incomparably resolute, his eyes filled with a desire for revenge.

The three continued onward and finally arrived at the main hall.

A middle-aged man sat in the seat of honor. His complexion was dark and gloomy, and it was obvious that he did not have much time left. Yet the pressure he exuded was unmistakably that of a Legendary Rank expert. This was Sikong Hongyue's father, Sikong Yi, the Patriarch of the Silver Wing Family.

"Hongyue, who are they?" Nie Li then stepped forward to explain.

"Since that is the case, worthy nephew Nie Li, go bring your friends up first," Sikong Yi said with a smile.

Only after the two had left did Sikong Yi slowly speak to Sikong Hongyue.

"Hongyue, that boy is still highly suspicious. However, he has the antidote. For now, we can only build a good relationship with him."

"Father, should we kill him directly once he makes the antidote?" Sikong Hongyue made a slicing gesture across her throat.

"That Shangguan Ye is very powerful. My instincts tell me that, as I am now, I am absolutely no match for him. But if I return to my peak, it is hard to say who would come out on top."

Not long after, Shangguan Ye and Nie Li brought Xiao Ning'er and the others up. Sikong Yi also laid out a banquet for them.

"Uncle, I want that person named Duan Jian." Nie Li pointed at Duan Jian on the pillar.

"Oh? What do you want him for, worthy nephew?"

"After all, the medicine I have on hand is limited. It would be bad if something went wrong while preparing the antidote, so I want to use him to test it. It can count as his final contribution to the Silver Wing Family."

Sikong Yi pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

"Worthy nephew, take your friends down to rest first."