When Xie Shiyu woke up, it was already noon the next day.
The scorching sun hung high in the sky, enveloping the entire city as if in a furnace. The temperature continued to climb. Looking down from a high place toward the distant port, one could vaguely see many ships coming and going, as well as the silver-shining hulls of ironclad warships.
Xie Shiyu woke up from the ice bed, feeling her skin icy cold to an unprecedented degree.
Ever since she had been afflicted with the fire poison, even with the suppression of the ice bed and ice room, her entire body still felt as if it were in a furnace, burning hot and unbearable, as though flames were blazing inside her.
This refreshing coolness now made her feel as if she had been reborn. It was a comfort belonging solely to the soul, which she enjoyed immensely for a moment.
Xie Shiyu struggled on the ice bed for a while. Her soul power had recovered somewhat. She barely sat up, her mind still a bit hazy, making it hard to recall exactly what had happened before. However, what left the deepest impression on her was Shen Hanyu's face, which seemed like that of a heavenly god. Thinking back on it now, it felt as if cold air was still passing through her back, causing her body to involuntarily shiver.
After adjusting her condition, she took out a long white dress from her soul tool and put it on. Only then did she notice with some surprise that she had somehow become much thinner. The originally well-fitting long dress now felt somewhat loose. Her whole person carried the air of someone who had just recovered from a serious illness, but there was no denying that her beauty was still intact, and the unique aura she possessed was particularly striking.
Walking out of the ice room and passing through layers of screens, Xie Shiyu immediately noticed the group enjoying tea.
Shen Hanyu, seated in the center, glanced up at her briefly before calmly continuing to drink the tea in his cup.
Shen Liuyu noticed the awakened Xie Shiyu and a smile appeared on her face. She then said with a smile:
"I thought you would be unconscious for a few more days. The process of expelling the poison earlier was really a bit... um... anyway, it's good that you woke up so quickly. Your complexion looks much better..."
Xie Shiyu nodded politely, then slightly bowed toward Shen Hanyu and the others, saying:
"Thank you for taking action earlier. Otherwise, I don't know how long this fire poison would have tormented me..."
Shen Hanyu looked up slightly. There was no obvious emotion in his eyes as he said:
"Your physique is truly special. Neither the Jade Phosphorus Snake Emperor Poison nor the fire poison caused any significant damage to your foundation. In other words, you were extremely lucky..."
Xie Shiyu nodded but seemed unwilling to say more on the subject. She simply said softly:
"You helped me resolve such a major problem. If there is anything you need help with in the future, you can come to the Heavenly Sound Sect or me at any time. We place great importance on gratitude. As long as it is within our capabilities, we will do our utmost to fulfill your requests..."
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Shen Hanyu's lips, and his gaze once again fell on Xie Shiyu. The sharp look in his eyes made her involuntarily take a step back.
"What a coincidence. We currently need you to help us with something. Of course, you should be very clear about your own situation. You have no right to refuse in this matter. If you choose to refuse, the consequences should also be clear to you."
Xie Shiyu smiled bitterly and nodded, then said:
"I naturally won't deny that. Just tell me directly what you need me to do..."
Shen Hanyu put down the teacup in his hand. His gaze swept over Xu Yuexuan beside him and then across Gu Yuena and the other three before he said:
"Regarding the situation in the Sun Moon Empire, we want to know the fundamental points."
Xie Shiyu was slightly stunned. After pondering for a moment, she finally organized her words and said softly:
"Although many things are still hidden in the dark, it is basically certain that this chaos that has swept across almost the entire Sun Moon Continent has an extremely powerful force pushing it from behind. This force seems to have no clear goal, yet it does not conceal its ambition at all. I think their ultimate purpose is probably to take this opportunity to throw the entire Sun Moon Empire into turmoil. As for their final objective, we have no way of knowing..."
"While this force fans the flames, the riots and declarations of independence occurring everywhere have become reasonable. But it must be admitted that the entire Sun Moon Continent has now turned into a complete mess, with only a few regions spared..."
At this moment, Xu Yuexuan spoke up:
"There are also evil soul masters. The evil soul master Title Douluo who attacked the imperial family came from the Evil Demon Forest. I think there must be some connection there..."
A clear look of surprise appeared in Xie Shiyu's eyes. She nodded slightly, sighed softly, and said:
"Indeed. The appearance of these evil soul masters was extremely rapid and strange, as if they emerged across various regions overnight. While continuously killing and devouring, they also use a unique method to corrupt other soul masters, ultimately causing them to fall and change, then join their ranks. Within our sect, a Soul Saint-level deacon unfortunately fell victim. In just two hours, he underwent a complete transformation, becoming a monster that knew only slaughter and endless devouring..."
The Mad Bull Douluo standing nearby seemed to recall something and spoke up:
"Listening to Miss speak like this, I suddenly remembered something. About a few years ago, a large-scale beast tide suddenly appeared near the Evil Demon Forest. The beast tide came too suddenly, and several cities around the Evil Demon Forest were slaughtered clean. At that time, several imperial offerings and empire powerhouses entered the Evil Demon Forest to investigate, but in the end they found nothing..."
"Moreover, Miss also knows that although the one inside the Evil Demon Forest has a strange personality, for thousands of years it has never actively launched such a large-scale beast tide, let alone the fact that it was previously even willing to cooperate with the empire..."
Xie Shiyu shook her head slightly, but she was not denying the Mad Bull Douluo's words. It was just that the previous events were too bizarre, and to this day there was still no concrete explanation. In recent years, the situation on the Sun Moon Continent had changed too quickly. It was as if the entire continent was shrouded in a layer of dense fog, making it impossible for people to ever see the truth and reality clearly...
"Hehe..."
Shen Hanyu chuckled lightly, seemingly somewhat surprised. Then his gaze turned to Gu Yuena, who was playing with her own fingernails nearby, and he said softly:
"When you came to the Sun Moon Continent before, did you notice anything unusual? Or rather, did you feel that something was off about this entire continent..."
Gu Yuena slowly raised her beautiful eyes, a blue light flashing within them, before she said in a deep voice:
"Other than there being more burning, killing, and looting, I didn't notice anything particularly unusual. It's just that this entire continent gives me a very oppressive feeling, as if some terrifying existence has been constantly watching over this place. This kind of feeling... I haven't experienced it for thousands of years..."
Shen Hanyu raised an eyebrow. He gently stroked the teacup in his hand, seeming to ponder something. Soon after, he looked back at Xie Shiyu and said:
"After this, we may still need to trouble you to take us to the Evil Demon Forest. But you don't need to worry about your safety. As long as no True God appears, there is nothing in this era that can threaten our team..."
Xie Shiyu was somewhat astonished. Even Xu Yuexuan, who had been familiar with everyone for several months, couldn't help but be stunned. Shui Bing'er looked at the two of them and chuckled lightly, then explained:
"A'Yu is now only missing one soul ring to advance to the Title Douluo realm. The purpose of our trip is to hunt the Evil Emperor and make it A'Yu's ninth soul ring..."
"As for other aspects, perhaps you are still unclear. Sister Snow Emperor and Sister Demon Empress are both top-tier peerless Douluo, with true strength around the demi-god level. Mengchu is a level 97 Super Douluo. As for Brother Yu..."
Shui Bing'er thought for a moment, then continued:
"Although Brother Yu's soul power level is still at the human realm, his strength is absolutely enough to step into another world. Additionally, just as you understand, gods truly exist and are the goal that all of us strive toward..."
Xie Shiyu and Xu Yuexuan exchanged a glance. Their eyes were filled with shock and astonishment. Their emotions rose and fell like a roller coaster. It was hard for them to describe exactly what they were feeling. They only knew that these words, spoken from Shui Bing'er's mouth, seemed to carry a natural convincing magic, forcing them to believe and face it...
The Mad Bull Douluo beside them sucked in a sharp breath. Unlike Xie Shiyu and Xu Yuexuan, his eyes held more relief. It was fortunate that he had been cautious earlier; otherwise, his corpse might already be stinking under the sun by now...
But just as everyone was silent, not knowing what to say, Gu Yuena suddenly spoke up on her own:
"Although I don't know what exactly happened to this continent, the godly inheritance I discovered earlier is not too far from here. If you want, we can go take a look first..."
Shen Hanyu slowly stood up. His gaze then turned to Xie Shiyu as he said:
"Can your body move?"
Xie Shiyu was slightly stunned. After hesitating for a brief moment, she gently nodded.
Shen Hanyu chuckled lightly, then looked at You Mengchu beside him and said softly:
"Mengchu, give her one of your pills. Her body is too depleted. I'm afraid she won't be able to move after less than two hours outside."
You Mengchu rolled her eyes at Shen Hanyu, but still took out a pill emitting a faint fragrance from her soul tool and sent it floating with soul power to Xie Shiyu.
Xie Shiyu looked at the pill in front of her, remained silent for a moment, then reached out to take it and swallowed it in one gulp.
The medicinal effect took hold in an extremely short time, and a wave of red energy swept out. You Mengchu said with some surprise:
"This little girl's physique is indeed somewhat special. It seems she has taken quite a few pills and heavenly treasures since childhood. For an ordinary Soul Emperor, refining this pill would take at least two hours, yet she was able to refine part of its efficacy the moment it entered her body. This is truly rare..."
Shen Hanyu chuckled lightly and said nothing more. Only after Xie Shiyu had absorbed part of the medicinal effect and her complexion recovered somewhat did the group begin to move.
Gu Yuena casually tore open a spatial rift and walked in first without looking back. Bi Ji and Zi Ji followed closely behind. Shen Hanyu, accompanied by Shui Bing'er and the others, entered one after another. You Mengchu helplessly brought up the rear, as she still had to look after Xu Yuexuan and Xie Shiyu.
...
Not long after, several hundred li outside Mingxia City, within a towering mountain range, a space suddenly tore open. The figures of the group slowly emerged from it and descended onto a grassy area on the mountain peak.
The grass was lush and green. Looking into the distance, everything that met the eye was verdant. A rich life aura lingered around them. Occasional beast roars came from the forest. On the open ground beside the river below, they saw several soul beasts. Even in the sky above, many avian soul beasts were circling. Everything here seemed untouched by human intervention and destruction, but upon closer inspection, traces of the human soul masters' activity could still be found around.
The nearby mountain ranges were quite steep. Under the cover of the dense forest, countless giant rocks stood tall. The dull sound of flowing water from afar echoed in everyone's ears, adding a unique charm to this world.
Shen Hanyu's gaze turned to Gu Yuena as he said:
"My spiritual power did not detect anything unusual. Are you sure this is the right place?"
Gu Yuena nodded gently and said:
"Some divine examinations and inheritances have special energy protecting them. Only those with a great destiny or geniuses extremely suited to that divine examination can trigger a reaction upon approaching. Although your spiritual power is powerful, it is still slightly inferior when facing the special protections left by some top divine examinations. Moreover, this place where the godly inheritance remains is somewhat special..."
Shen Hanyu swept his gaze around the surroundings. Then he saw Gu Yuena wave her hand, and a silver-white soul power mark returned to her hand at high speed. Immediately after, Gu Yuena slightly turned her eyes toward the group and said:
"Follow me..."
As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Yuena took a step in the void, and her figure appeared a hundred meters away.
Shen Hanyu led the others closely behind. After advancing through the complex mountain valley for some distance, they had entered the depths of this mountain range. The color of the river below had gradually become deeper, and the water flow had slowed. The profound color seemed to hide terrifying giant beasts within, as if they would break through the surface the next second and swallow everyone in one bite.
Gu Yuena's speed did not decrease. She led the group through the intricate waterways ahead. Soon, they arrived at the source of these waterways.
It was a smooth stone wall over a hundred meters high. Sunlight shone upon it, making the emitted light somewhat blinding.
Countless thin streams cascaded down from above. The roaring water splashed countless fine droplets, ultimately converging below into a medium-sized but extremely deep-colored lake.
Gu Yuena stopped here. She turned her head and said:
"This is the place. I sensed the power of a deity from within this stone wall. Although it is extremely faint, it still exists. However, from the aura alone, I cannot determine which deity it belongs to. Additionally, when we enter later, Bi Ji, Zi Ji, and I will not follow..."
Shen Hanyu did not respond to Gu Yuena. A gentle surge of soul power rose in his hand, blocking the water flow from above and fully exposing the weathered stone wall to everyone.
This stone wall was not smooth; it was covered in large and small pits. Yet even after countless years of water erosion, some strange patterns could still be seen on its surface. At the center of the entire stone wall was a small protrusion. Shen Hanyu slowly approached and discovered that what was carved there was actually a somewhat strange skull.
A strange feeling suddenly surged in Shen Hanyu's heart. His gaze then turned to Bai Nian among the group behind him as he said softly:
"Little Nian, come here..."
Bai Nian was slightly stunned but obediently came to Shen Hanyu's side with the help of the Snow Emperor.
Ever since being brought back to the Douluo Continent from the island domain by Shen Hanyu and the Snow Emperor, her life and circumstances had undergone earth-shaking changes.
Toward Shen Hanyu and the Snow Emperor, she always carried a unique dependence. This dependence made her willing to show a completely different side of herself in front of the two. In other words, she felt both respect for elders and a possessive desire toward Shen Hanyu and the Snow Emperor. This was a lingering effect of her tragic childhood. However, she had always been extremely restrained toward herself and had never shown this side to the others.
"Brother... what's wrong..."
Bai Nian asked softly, her tone gentle, unlike the usual aloof girl.
Shen Hanyu chuckled lightly and said:
"Force out a drop of essence blood and send it into this mark."
Bai Nian was slightly stunned. Her peripheral vision glanced at the skull-like mark, but she still obediently forced out a drop of her own blood and, without asking anything more, sent it directly into the mark.
After entering the skull-like mark, the drop of blood floated within it. For a long time, there was no movement. However, none of the group dared to voice any doubt and continued waiting quietly.
Moments later, the mark seemed to tremble slightly. Immediately after, the stone wall in front suddenly emitted a strange fluctuation.
The sound of wind and water around them seemed to disappear completely in an instant, replaced by a deathly silence.
Under everyone's gaze, Bai Nian's drop of blood was slowly decomposed. Then the entire stone wall began to shake violently. The outer layer of rock and other impurities peeled off bit by bit, revealing the gray crystal-like array beneath.
Blood-colored patterns spread out from the center in all directions. At the same time, a strange sound rang in everyone's ears. Before the entire array had fully activated, a cold air current had already swept over, rushing straight toward the group.
Everyone's hair was blown about. The array in front slowly activated completely amid the increasingly strong airflow. Then, a gentle entrance like rippling water slowly appeared before everyone, surrounded by rich spatial attribute energy.
Gu Yuena and the other two retreated somewhat, clearly indicating they truly did not intend to enter.
The Demon Empress hesitated for a moment but still pulled the curious-looking Lan Fozi back a couple of steps. She then explained softly:
"You all go in and take a look. Our identities are special. Even though we can protect ourselves on Sea God Island, we truly have no confidence in other places. So Lan Fozi and I will wait for you outside..."
Shen Hanyu nodded, indicating his understanding. He then exhaled lightly and took the lead, bringing Bai Nian and the others into the black-hole-like entrance.
...
The scene before them switched abruptly. Light was swallowed bit by bit. The dark sky seemed to foretell ill omens. A seam suddenly split open in the firmament, and the group's figures fell through it, officially stepping into this deathly silent world.
Shen Hanyu led everyone to land safely. Looking at the forest filled with various eerie colors in the surrounding darkness, he raised an eyebrow slightly, as if not surprised at all.
Everyone examined their surroundings. Shen Liuyu suddenly said:
"Here... there is such dense death energy, and I seem to feel that this space is completely sealed. It feels like someone forcibly locked away the entire world. We can clearly sense everything from the outside, yet the environment we are in is so bizarre..."
Shen Hanyu chuckled lightly, then knocked on Shen Liuyu's forehead before saying:
"You have this feeling because the attribute of your own divine examination is similar in effect to this environment. Additionally, if I am not mistaken, this place was originally part of the Sun Moon Continent, only forcibly cut out by someone..."
Xu Yuexuan and Xie Shiyu also had similar feelings. Xie Shiyu hesitated for a moment before saying with some surprise:
"This place is very similar to the Evil Demon Forest. Aside from the deathly and gloomy atmosphere being even thicker, everything else can basically find a counterpart. It is said that deep within the Evil Demon Great Forest there seems to be such a separate heaven and earth, but it has never been heard that anyone has explored it deeply..."
Xu Yuexuan also nodded in agreement.
Shen Hanyu's spiritual power spread out. It seemed he had discovered something interesting as he said softly:
"It seems that what was segmented was not only the Evil Demon Forest. Some even more interesting things were brought in along with it..."
Everyone was somewhat puzzled, but soon they understood what Shen Hanyu meant.
Strange sounds suddenly came from the distant forest. The dark purple full moon hanging high in the sky was already obscured by clouds and mist. The surrounding light dimmed further, reaching a point where one could barely make out objects.
At this moment, a huge tentacle flew out from the forest beside them. Gu Qingbo's expression changed. In the next instant, a light blue soul power shield rose, barely blocking the tentacle's attack.
The shield dissipated into starlight. Shui Bing'er, Gu Qingbo, and Xue Wu slowly withdrew their soul power. Their gazes turned vigilantly toward the depths of the dark forest...
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Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are chapters available on Patreon."
"Douluo: Sword of Judgment and Eternal Ice 30 Advance chapters"
"From Douluo to Godhood by Defy 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo: Far North Invincibledo 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Peerless: Living as an Evil Soul Master the novel is already finished on Patreon."
"Douluo Dalu 2:Peerless Tang Sect Dawn of Sun and Moon the novel is already finished on Patreon."
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