Chen Qiye's group advanced barely a dozen li each day. It took them more than ten days before they finally saw a mountain range shaped like a colossal dragon coiled upon the ground: Dragon Coil Mountain.
The moment they approached the area, Chen Qiye and the others' expressions changed slightly. Hundreds of massive pythons as thick as water barrels lay ahead, flicking their tongues as poisonous mist spread through the air, corroding a vast stretch of forest beyond recognition. From deeper within came waves of low, rumbling roars, as though countless savage beasts had gathered there.
Seven or eight Southern Isle Sect cultivators stood around the edge of the region. The man who had mocked Chen Qiye was among them. Clearly, he and Xiao Yunlin had each led a separate group inside.
"You?" The man who spoke was Southern Isle Sect's foremost inner disciple, Liu Chunyang.
"It took you so many days to get here. Looks like you made quite a haul. Hand over the spiritual herbs and fruits you gathered, and I can let you leave..." Liu Chunyang's gaze swept over Chen Qiye's group before settling on Lu Junchu. His brow furrowed slightly. "Sword Idiot, you've already reached the peak of the Dragon Transformation Realm. Don't you feel ashamed, mingling with weaklings like these?"
"You talk as if you're all that strong yourselves!"
Bai Ningbing sneered and glanced at Chen Qiye. "I suggest you hand over all your spiritual herbs and fruits. Otherwise, if Old Chen gets angry, he'll chop every last one of you to pieces..."
A cold glint flashed through Liu Chunyang's eyes. He raised a hand, divine radiance gathering within it as he prepared to strike.
At that moment, a brown vortex spiraled out from the black fog saturated with poisonous mist.
A black shadow shot