Vast stands of ancient trees rose hundreds of zhang high, their leaves translucent and their shadows swaying. Vines as thick as water vats wound around them, making the place wild and primeval.
He Xian entered this uninhabited region alone. Though dense forest towered around him, he felt less as though he had stepped into the woods than arrived in the desolate Great Gobi, for it was far too quiet.
Despite the towering ancient trees and lush vegetation, there was not a sound. No birds could be seen, no beasts could be heard roaring, and not even a single ant or insect was in sight.
It was eerie, but this was the true uninhabited region.
Not the uninhabited region where all evil retreated when Immortal Ancient opened.
He Xian's silver Cross-Shaped Vertical Pupils shone as he moved cautiously through the forest.
Swish!
Suddenly, an ancient tree swung toward him, smashing down.
He Xian dodged. With a thunderous crash, the great tree pulverized a distant black mountain that towered into the clouds.
An icy laugh rang out, laden with boundless chill.
Then an ancient language, one he knew well, sounded through the dense forest, steeped in malice.
"Blood food, prime blood food!"
He Xian remained expressionless. "Stand down!" he barked.
He spoke in that same strange tongue, the language of the Foreign Realm.
"Hm?" The unknown creature opposite him was clearly startled and suspicious, and the deep forest fell silent once more.
Pfft!
Crimson light flashed, and the creature vanished.
Swish.
He Xian suddenly struck behind him with his palm. It was instinct: a chill ran down his back as danger approached.
Clang! Sparks flew, a swath of bone text was obliterated, and a dark eyeball, scorched black and stained with blood, was knocked away.
When it closed, it hid within the