Qin Shaofeng had been about to explain why the barrier wall had suddenly vanished, but before he could speak, Nie Qianying, whose feet had just sunk into the water, abruptly sprang up again, splashing water everywhere.
"Something's wrong! The Divine Wood Heart's aura... seems to have appeared ahead of time?!"
Qin Shaofeng's brows drew together. Before he could even react and take another look, he heard her words and immediately asked, "Ahead of time? Why would it appear ahead of time? A heavenly treasure like the Divine Wood Heart shouldn't be able to appear early, should it?"
Nie Qianying formed a hand seal with her jade-like fingers, her grave face reflected on the water's surface. "It hasn't fully emerged yet, but it has already begun to stir up heavenly phenomena. Listen—"
Ignoring the embarrassment of being exposed, she pulled a thin veil around herself to cover up for the moment. Then she suddenly grabbed Qin Shaofeng's wrist, the warmth of her touch making his body stiffen.
Explosions rose and fell in the distance, mingled with the crazed roars of cultivators and wave after wave of incoherent shrieking.
"Can you pinpoint the location? If we head over now, will we still make it in time?" Qin Shaofeng asked.
"Though the Divine Wood Heart releasing its aura ahead of time was beyond my expectations, it isn't necessarily a bad thing..." Nie Qianying let out a soft laugh and deliberately leaned closer, letting the water vapor dampen his collar. "Once it fully appears, many treasures hidden in Heavenly Fiend Forest will surface as well. By then, this lot will only grow more bloodshot with slaughter, and we can fish in troubled waters~" Her expression suddenly darkened. "But you'd best be prepared. These little lackeys are merely appetizers before the feast. Once the Divine