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--- Chapter 274 ---
"Who would have thought the legendary Misty Mountain Range would be in plain sight like this?" Gu Xun'er sighed, rubbing her hand.
Han Yuan chuckled, "Yeah, no wonder no one could find it for years."
Han Yuan and the others stood on a cliff, gazing down at an incredibly vast, massive crater, as if a gigantic meteor had blasted this area open a million years ago, leaving behind chunks that formed a mountain range and a complex, fresh, and seawater river system.
Han Yuan clicked his tongue in amazement. 'This place is a hundred times bigger than the Desolate Mountain Range I owned back in the Douluo Plane. Even then, I didn't fully utilize it.'
"How can I use this place to its full potential?"
"Not to mention, the energy of heaven and earth here is so much richer."
"Does the extraterrestrial object have such an effect on the world?"
Although Han Yuan wasn't the most knowledgeable about astrology or meteorology, it was easy to deduce that something huge had fallen here long ago. Even someone as simple as Hai Bodong could see that fact clearly.
However, Han Yuan felt that something was off. What if it wasn't just a big meteorite? What if this crater was the residue of a battle between two powerhouses, beings that transcended imagination—Dou Gods?
Sure, since the Tou She Ancient Emperor, no one had reached the Dou Gods level. But several million years ago, when the Dou Qi Plane was still in its primal state, ascending to the Dou God realm was not as difficult as it is now. What if this crater were a relic from that era?
Yet, Han Yuan couldn't confirm anything for sure. He would only be able to do so when they arrived at the Misty Mountain Sage's Inheritance Site, the Misty Mountain Secret Realm.
They were currently on the edge of the North-West Region of the Dou Qi Continent, and the crater they were observing was located on an island in the nearby sea area, which explained why it was so difficult to find.
Moreover, the Misty Mountain Sage didn't play around and had left behind several layers of complex barriers around the island: a storm barrier, an extreme sunlight barrier, a wave barrier, and you name it.
If it weren't for Han Yuan's extraordinary Eyes of Truth and his newly acquired talent for barrier-making, which helped him breach those barriers, they would never have reached this place.
"Let's get down," Han Yuan said, leaping off the cliff with ease.
Queen Medusa, cradling Qing Lin in her arms, followed him, "Wait for me!"
Xiao Yixian, Yafei, and Gu Xun'er exchanged glances and used their Flying Dou Techniques to chase after Han Yuan, leaving Hai Bodong and Ling Ying on the cliff.
"Tch, you really can't keep a girl when she meets a boy she likes," Hai Bodong commented, shaking his head.
Ling Ying chuckled, "At least Han Yuan isn't a bad one."
"True, I guess," Hai Bodong nodded in agreement. "Anyway, see you down there."
Ling Ying smiled, took a moment to look around cautiously, then jumped down, leaving several afterimages as he passed over Hai Bodong. When it came to speed, he was the fastest in the Dou Emperor realm.
'Damn, this guy is fast!' Hai Bodong was amazed. He knew Gu Xun'er and Ling Ying's background couldn't be ordinary, but it seemed he still misjudged them.
As everyone landed on the ground, they were 'immediately' greeted by a wave of Magical Beasts. While not powerful, the amount is staggering and could cause Magical Beast Mountain Range to run for its money.
"Scram!" Queen Medusa put Qing Lin down and stepped forward, using her martial soul possession to arouse the beastly intimidation from the Heaven Swallowing Python.
She not only successfully deterred the beast tide, but also allowed them to see how powerful she is.
Gu Xun'er and Ling Ying were shocked momentarily. After all, they didn't know anything about spirit master cultivation, including martial soul. The power Queen Medusa displayed, while not mind-breaking, possesses a quality that they couldn't put their hands on.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yixian stared at Queen Medusa up and down. 'So, this is the power of a martial soul. According to my brother, Medusa awakened a beast-type martial soul, which allows one to merge with it.'
'Her current state should be the result of merging with her martial soul, Heaven Swallowing Python.'
'Hmm, full body transformation, red hair, well, I have to admit she is more sexy in this state.'
'I wonder if I could awaken the same kind of martial soul...' Xiao Yixian thought, pressing her lips in anticipation.
As for the rest of the group, they weren't surprised by Queen Medusa as they have martial souls of their own.
Han Yuan looked at the scattered Magical Beasts and noticed most were only Rank 3 to Rank 4. Even then, if these launched an attack on cities in the Jia Ma Empire, it would be a disaster.
Don't forget that they haven't even ventured deep into the Misty Mountain Range. There could be Rank 7 and 8, or even Rank 9 Magical Beasts, deep in the mountain.
"Okay, everyone, keep your guard up. We are going to enter the mountain range now," Han Yuan declared solemnly. "If you notice something off, please tell me quickly."
"Magical Beast is one thing, but we can't forget this mountain range is the home field of Misty Mountain Sage, who was known for her barrier-making and traps."
"Understood!" Everyone nodded with a serious expression.
Han Yuan smiled and pointed at his forehead confidently, "Alright, don't be so tense. We are not completely guideless. This mountain range might be unknown, but since I obtained the legacy of Misty Mountain Sage, I could detect the core area of this place."
With Han Yuan's assurance, the group's mood improved, and they moved forward with caution. On their journey to the 'core' area, they encountered more and more beast tides, but not something they couldn't handle.
Even Han Yuan used some of the weaker beast tides to train Qing Lin's swordmanship, which rose pretty quickly. The pressure is driving the little girl's learning ability to the peak.
There is no danger in their journey so far. So, even when Rank 6 Magical Beasts came knocking, the unlucky ones destined to become their lunch today.
"We are close," said Han Yuan. He keenly observed the three mountain peaks before him. Although not the tallest peaks, each possesses spatial nodes of a high-quality barrier formation.
"Is this the place?" asked Gu Xun'er. "I can feel something off about these mountain peaks."
Han Yuan nodded, "The peaks should be the spatial node for the super-large barrier."
"In other words, we are currently in the core of a super-large barrier, and there might be guardians on it."
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
After Han Yuan finished his words, three consecutive explosions echoed in the area as three powerful presences arrived. Each of them is a giant creature, standing no shorter than the mountain peak.
Han Yuan looked up and mumbled, "A Monkey, a Three-Headed Dragon, and uh, a Moth?"
'What is this? Monster verse, what the hell Kong, Ghidorah, and Mothra are doing here?'
'Wait, don't tell me there is a Godzilla, too?'
Standing before Han Yuan and his companions are Magical Beasts.
The first is a giant silverback ape with crimson eyes, looking not only menacing but also capable of tearing the earth apart.
The second is a three-headed wyvern covered in dark crimson scales, with a pair of bat-like wings and three heads that possess mysterious powers.
Finally, there is a giant golden moth that spans the entire valley with its colossal body and wingspan.
Unfortunately, these titans are not the Kaiju Han Yuan expected. They are, in fact, just Rank 7 Magical Beasts, specifically the Silver Ape King, Three-Headed Meteor Dragon, and Golden Moth Empress.
The Three-Headed Meteor Dragon gazes at Han Yuan and speaks in a deep voice, "Human, you possess the aura of Misty Mountain Sage; you must have inherited some of her skills. Are you here to challenge us to become her true inheritor?"
Han Yuan stepped forward and replied straightforwardly, "Yes."
The dragon nodded, showing an understanding look, "Very well. After waiting for so long, someone reached the Misty Mountain Range, and we have been waiting for too long."
"Since then, let's start the trials..."