He stared at the unbloomed lotus in the pond, its glow steady, its petals trembling as if breathing. The spiritual energy was pouring out from it without end.
"That lotus… it's releasing such spiritual energy on its own? Is it some rare herb?"
But rare treasures were often guarded by beasts. Yet here, there was no sound, no movement. Only silence he spread used his spiritual sense if there was any beast.
"Strange… there's no beast around. Even in this outer region there should be low-tier beasts at the very least."
Many cultivators often come to Magic Beast Mountains for many reasons, in search of some rare herbs, to hunt beasts and obtain their skin, cores, etc. which carries a significant role in the cultivation world.
And so, according to the ranks of beasts found in the Mountain ranges, it was divided into various regions; Outer region, Inner region, Core region.
And the area Xu Yuan was supposed to be in was likely the outer region. In this region there were mostly rank one and two tier Magical Beasts.
Also, According to information he had, the outer region covers nearly two hundred Li inward from the edge of range, in which the valley covered about fifty Li, filled with special herbs and treasures mostly guarded by beasts.
Xu Yuan stood up and pulled out his flying leaf artifact. Slowly, he stepped on it and drifted over the pond, his gaze fixed on the lotus.
The closer he came, the stronger the energy grew, almost intoxicating, as if trying to attract him to closer. His hand stretched out.
The instant his fingers stretched around the stem,
[Rumble!]
The water started trembling violently. Waves rippled outward as if the pond itself was alive. Xu Yuan's body stiffened to his place, his hand clenched the flower stem tightly.
"?!?!—!"
[Splash!]
The water exploded upward. A massive snake burst out, its scales shining deep blue, its body thick as a large tree trunk. Its golden eyes glared at him, and it let out a thunderous roar.
[Hissss–Kaaahhh!!]
The shockwave shattered parts of the cave. Xu Yuan was blasted back far away, falling between blasted broken rocks, coughing blood, his body slamming into stone before he could steady himself.
"Cough! Cough! Ack…!"
He didn't expect to see such a High-tier beast, no wonder he couldn't sense it. He realised somehow he had entered the deeper part of the range.
Till now, he thought he was still in the outer region. It was also shocking how he did not encounter any high tier beast on his way.
And such a high rank beast, surely this was the Inner Region. A region with different, dense and strong energy compared to the outer region.
In order to survive in the inner region of the Beast Mountain Range, the strength of these Magic Beasts were basically at least rank three or higher. At this rank, the Magic Beast has gained an initial consciousness and was entirely different from those in the outer regions who basically only had instinct.
The snake's massive head loomed, fangs bared, ready to strike. Just as it lunged,
[Thud!] [Boom!]
A giant fist slammed into its face, knocking its huge body into the ground. The entire area shook violently.
Xu Yuan's eyes widened. From the shadows beside, a colossal ape jumped near the snake. Its body towered as large as the snake, muscles bulging like mountains.
[Hooouuuaarrrghhh!!]
The roar shook the air itself. Shockwaves rippled out, pressing down on Xu Yuan so violently like his bones would crush under the weight.
Somehow he hastily activated three protective treasures, swallowed a bunch of healing pills, and with trembling hands, slapped layer after layer of talismans on his body to withstand the crushing pressure.
The snake hissed furiously, coiling back. The ape pounded its chest, then swung another punch. The two beasts collided, their battle impact ripped through the earth.
The ground split apart, jagged cracks racing outward, while bursts of force flattened everything in their path.
Taking the opening, Xu Yuan dragged himself across the fractured ground toward his flying leaf. His Artifacts were already broken.
With trembling hands, he shoved the lotus into his storage. Accidentally, he actually pulled out that Lotus with its roots. With the last flicker of strength left he climbed on the artifact.
The leaf lifted shakily into the air, swaying under his unstable control. He managed to fly but suddenly again a shockwave made Xu Yuan lose his balance. He almost fell, but managed to cling onto the leaf, forcing it to fly forward.
His chest burned, his breath weak, like a thin thread about to snap.
"Teleport…" he muttered, burning talisman after talisman in his hand.
Blood dripped from his lips. His vision grew blurry, the world spinning around him. Still, he kept flying, higher and farther, until his body could no longer hold on.
"I… should… take… some.. rest," he whispered realising that he was already over his limits.
Xu Yuan crashed down heavily, his body trembling from exhaustion. With a weak flick of his wrist, he recalled the flying leaf into his storage.
His legs trembled to give out at every step, he reached near the large tree and tucked his back against the rough trunk.
"I don't even have a healing pill…" he muttered, taking out that unbloomed Lotus. "huh!… All this happened because of this!"
Then, suddenly Lotus started glowing. Waves of raw spiritual energy surged outward, pouring straight into Xu Yuan's body.
"Ah~ Wha…"
His wounds began to knit together at speed. Torn flesh closed, bleeding ceased, and the crushing pain in his chest vanished. Energy started spreading through veins and meridians.
But even after healing it did not stop and flowing energy grew wilder with every breath. The flow became violent, hammering into every corner of his body. His meridians shivered under the strain, stretched to their limits, tearing apart under the unbearable pressure.
"Urgh—! Aaaaaaaahhh!!"
Xu Yuan's scream tore through the forest. His body was in uncontrollable pain, muscles twisting as if pierced by countless invisible blades. His skin burned red, veins bulged, and blood sprayed from his lips.
His vision blurred with red blood in eyes, his consciousness wavered.
The last sensation he knew was the crushing weight of spiritual energy breaking his body before dissolving in endless darkness.