At the Foot of Mount Buzhou, a Perilous Encounter with Taotie

Mount Buzhou, the pillar of heaven in the Primordial World, stood between heaven and earth, majestic and magnificent, piercing straight through the clouds.

The mountain was forged from Chaos Divine Stone, its surface covered in naturally formed Dao patterns. At times, these patterns gleamed with golden light; at others, silver droplets flowed through them. Every single one contained profoundly unfathomable principles of the Great Dao. Clouds and mist coiled through the mountains, but this was no mortal fog—it was condensed from pure spiritual energy. A cultivator needed only one breath to benefit immensely. Yet beneath this peaceful facade lay deadly danger: countless Innate ferocious beasts dwelled and bred among these mountains, while forbidden lands formed from remnants of Chaos Power lurked throughout. One careless step could cast someone into a state beyond redemption.

Xuan Chen carefully made his way through the outskirts of Mount Buzhou. The mountain path beneath his feet was buried beneath thick fallen leaves. Under those leaves might lurk sharp stone spikes, or deadly poisonous insects. He did not dare let down his guard in the slightest, pushing the Chaos Breath Concealment Art to its limit and suppressing his aura to the lowest possible level, like a lifeless stubborn stone.

A thousand li ahead, the aura of Chaos Origin Essence grew increasingly dense. Its gentle warmth was like a spring breeze brushing against his face, easing Xuan Chen's taut nerves somewhat. He could sense that the source of that aura lay within a valley ahead. The currents of Chaos around the valley seemed drawn by some force, forming a natural barrier that both blocked outside prying and nourished the life within.

It should be there. Xuan Chen quickened his pace and headed toward the valley.

However, when he was still more than five hundred li from the valley, an incomparably terrifying aura suddenly erupted from the depths of the dense forest diagonally ahead. It swept toward him like towering waves, instantly shattering the concealment of his Chaos Breath Concealment Art. Every hair on his body stood on end as an intense premonition of death enveloped him.

"Not good!"

Xuan Chen's expression changed drastically. Without a moment's thought, he lunged sharply to the side.

"Boom!"

With a deafening crash, a massive black shadow smashed into the spot where he had just been standing. The hard rocky ground caved in like tofu, creating a crater several zhang wide. Shattered stones flew in every direction, and dust filled the air.

Xuan Chen scrambled to his feet in disarray. Without bothering to brush off the dust, he looked up and saw an enormous ferocious beast before him. Its blood-red eyes were fixed upon him, filled with greed and brutality.

The beast resembled a wild boar, yet it was a hundred times more savage. It stood over three zhang tall, its entire body covered in pitch-black scales. Sharp barbs covered those scales, glinting with icy cold light. Its head was massive, bearing a gaping bloody maw lined with uneven fangs. The longest of those fangs stretched more than half a zhang, still hung with dark red blood and scraps of flesh. Its limbs were thick and powerful, its claws as sharp as blades and easily capable of tearing through stone. Most eye-catching was its slightly bulging belly, as though it had already devoured much, yet the hunger in its eyes had not diminished in the least. Upon seeing Xuan Chen, it only blazed hotter.

"Taotie!"

Xuan Chen's heart sank as he recognized the beast's origins. Taotie was an Innate Chaos ferocious beast that survived by devouring all things. Whether living beings, magical treasures, Chaos currents, or Innate Spiritual Roots, so long as it could fit in its mouth, it refused nothing. Legends said Taotie was insatiably greedy, swallowing anything and everything. Its strength was terrifying beyond measure; an ordinary Innate True Immortal would find it difficult to withstand even one move before it.

He had never imagined that he would encounter such a terrifying ferocious beast near the Nuwa Stone!

Perhaps drawn by the aura of an Innate True Immortal emanating from Xuan Chen and the Primordial Origin Essence hidden deep within his soul, Taotie let out an earth-shaking roar. Its voice exploded like thunder, snapping the surrounding trees one after another and sending fallen leaves dancing across the sky. It lowered its head fiercely, aimed its sharp fangs at Xuan Chen, and kicked off the ground with all four limbs. Like an arrow loosed from a bow, it charged toward him at astonishing speed, leaving afterimages behind.

Xuan Chen's pupils contracted. He did not dare take it head-on and hurriedly circulated the little spiritual energy remaining in his body. With a flash of movement, he dodged Taotie's charge once more.

"Boom!"

Another deafening crash rang out as Taotie rammed headfirst into a towering ancient tree beside them. The tree, which required more than a dozen people to encircle it, was instantly snapped in half at the waist. Dense spiritual energy burst from the break, but with one open mouth, Taotie inhaled it all into its belly, leaving not even a trace behind.

Damn it! This beast's strength is too terrifying! Xuan Chen cursed inwardly, his face grave. His current cultivation was only that of an Innate True Immortal on the surface. Though he possessed the origin of a Primordial Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal within him, he could not use it at all. With the power of an Innate True Immortal alone, defeating Taotie was nothing but a wild fantasy.

His only advantage was his greater agility and his mastery of the Chaos Breath Concealment Art. Though Taotie's aura had scattered its concealment effect just now, if he could widen the distance and activate the secret art again, he might be able to shake off its pursuit for the moment.

I must get away quickly and reach the valley to find the Nuwa Stone! Having made up his mind, Xuan Chen stopped entangling himself with Taotie. He turned and sprinted desperately toward the valley.

"Roar!"

Seeing its prey attempting to flee, Taotie let out an angry roar and spread its thick limbs in relentless pursuit. Though it was not as nimble as Xuan Chen, it possessed enduring stamina. Every time it landed, the ground shook, and the distance between them steadily narrowed.

As Xuan Chen raced onward, he kept watch over the surrounding terrain, trying to find an opportunity to escape Taotie. The outskirts of Mount Buzhou were a tangled maze of terrain, with steep cliffs, deep ravines, and dense forests—each of them could serve as a barrier to exploit.

He spotted a narrow mountain path not far ahead. Towering cliffs rose into the clouds on both sides, and the path could only accommodate a single person. A sharp glint flashed through Xuan Chen's eyes. He immediately changed direction and ran toward it.

Unaware that it was being led into a trap, Taotie continued its fierce pursuit. Its enormous body crashed wildly through the forest, breaking countless trees and kicking up clouds of dust.

Xuan Chen successfully rushed into the narrow mountain path. Just as he had expected, it only allowed one person to pass. Taotie's massive body could not charge directly inside. It chased him to the entrance, stared at Xuan Chen running within, and roared furiously as it repeatedly smashed its head against the cliffs on either side, trying to widen the path.

"Boom! Boom!"

Rocks continuously broke away from the cliffs, crashing down onto the path with tremendous noise. Xuan Chen did not dare pause even for an instant. He ran forward with all his strength, his ears filled with Taotie's roars and the sound of falling stone. Every tremor made his heart pound in terror.

Just as he was about to rush out from the other end of the mountain path, an immense crash came from behind. The entire path shook violently as countless rocks fell from above. Xuan Chen looked back and saw that Taotie had forcibly smashed apart one side of the cliff and squeezed its enormous body inside. Though its movements were restricted, it still charged savagely toward him, the fangs within its bloody maw clearly visible.

This is trouble! Xuan Chen's expression changed sharply as alarm surged through his heart. Taotie's strength was simply too astonishing. It could even smash through cliffs; this narrow mountain path could not hold it for long.

He gritted his teeth and accelerated again, finally rushing out of the mountain path. Beyond it lay an open plain, and at the far end of that plain stood the valley that emitted the aura of Chaos Origin Essence.

But Taotie had already burst from the mountain path as well, and was now only several dozen zhang away from him.

Xuan Chen understood that there was no road left for retreat. He had to find a way to face it head-on. He stopped, turned around, and confronted the menacing Taotie. The spiritual energy within him circulated frantically. Though the Chaos Breath Concealment Art could no longer conceal his aura, it could temporarily enhance his speed and defense, allowing him to barely contend with Taotie for a short while.

Seeing its prey stop, a bloodthirsty glint flashed through Taotie's eyes. It suddenly accelerated, opened its bloody maw, and bit toward Xuan Chen. A pungent, nauseating stench spewed from its mouth, making Xuan Chen almost retch.

Xuan Chen drew a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. His gaze remained locked on Taotie's movements as he searched for an opening. Though Innate Chaos ferocious beasts were powerful, they were not flawless. Taotie's weaknesses were its eyes and belly, where its scales were comparatively thinner.

Just as Taotie's fangs were about to bite into Xuan Chen, he suddenly twisted sideways, narrowly avoiding the lethal strike. At the same time, he gathered a faint strand of Chaos Power in his right hand and viciously struck toward Taotie's left eye.

"Pfft!"

Chaos Power struck Taotie's left eye. Though it was too weak to seriously injure it, the blow still caught it off guard. Pain made it release an enraged roar, disrupting the rhythm of its attacks.

Seizing the opportunity, Xuan Chen flashed behind Taotie and fiercely kicked its abdomen.

"Clang!"

His kick struck Taotie's scales with a sound like metal colliding. A sharp pain shot through the sole of Xuan Chen's foot, as if he had kicked an iron plate, while Taotie showed no reaction whatsoever. It merely twisted its body, trying to throw him off.

These scales are far too hard! Xuan Chen groaned inwardly. He knew that an attack like this could not hurt Taotie at all. On the contrary, it would only put him in greater danger.

Taotie turned around and pounced at Xuan Chen again. This time, its attacks were even more violent. Claws, fangs, and body slams came at him from every direction, leaving him no chance to evade.

Xuan Chen dodged left and right, barely evading the attacks with his agile movements. Yet Taotie's claws still tore several cuts across his body. Blood immediately flowed out, releasing a dense scent of blood. That scent further stirred Taotie's ferocity, and its attacks became even more frenzied.

No, if this continues, it will kill me sooner or later! Xuan Chen was frantic. He could feel the spiritual energy inside him dwindling, his strength draining at a rapid pace. Yet Taotie remained full of vigor, its momentum vast and overwhelming.

His gaze involuntarily turned toward the valley in the distance. The aura of Chaos Origin Essence there was growing ever denser, as if calling to him again and again. If he could enter the valley, perhaps he could use the power of the Nuwa Stone to escape Taotie's pursuit.

At that thought, hope flared anew in Xuan Chen's heart. He suddenly exerted his strength and raced toward the valley, occasionally looking back to dodge Taotie's attacks.

Taotie pursued without letting up, its enormous body leaving deep footprints across the plain. The valley was drawing nearer and nearer, which meant the Nuwa Stone was also drawing nearer. Xuan Chen knew that success or failure rested on this single gamble. He had to reach the valley and find the Nuwa Stone before Taotie caught him!