From afar, the cultivators spotted three enormous figures, their bodies the color of verdant jade. Surprise flickered across every face. Those who had witnessed Xiao Chen's earlier battle with Kaeo watched with even greater intensity.
At the same time, Zhao Lin'er stood upon the shoulder of a cyan tree-man, her peerless grace impossible to ignore. She drew the attention of every cultivator in the vicinity. Soon, nearly all the nearby practitioners were following their trail, tracking the unfolding events.
By now, many cultivators had landed on Dragon Island. All had come for the Ancestral Dragon and its attendant Dragon Kings. Already, battles had broken out, and lives had been lost.
The involvement of the giant tree-men—pursuing their quarry across vast stretches of territory—had become the most spectacular disturbance yet. Gradually, it drew the notice of most cultivators on the island's outer rim. Many watched intently.
Some even began to scheme: they wanted to approach Zhao Lin'er. They could guess the origin of the tree-men—ancient trees ten thousand years old must have metamorphosed to produce such beings. If they could win over Zhao Lin'er, they might gain not only a beauty of unmatched elegance but also a terrifying combat force.
Before a mist-shrouded waterfall, Yan Qingcheng's figure stood like a dream upon the cliff. She frowned as she watched the giant tree-men thunder past.
The golden-haired handsome man, Lande, also looked astonished. "Tree-men exist on Dragon Island? These must be ancient trees ten thousand years old—they are crystallizations of nature itself. If Yarodd, who is of the Forest Tribe, could subdue one, his strength would soar beyond ours."
On a nearby mountain peak, Yarodd and the barbarian youth Kaeo were also watching. Yarodd trembled with excitement. "Ancient trees ten thousand years old have metamorphosed into tree-men! And three have appeared at once!"
Although Xiao Chen's cultivation had broken through to a new realm, facing three such colossal beings was a terrible headache. He had split from the three undead skeletons, but under Zhao Lin'er's command, the tree-men relentlessly hunted him.
By now, he had crossed more than a dozen mountain ranges, stirring up countless fierce birds and savage beasts. But the three cyan tree-men clung to him like shadows, impossible to shake—and they had even managed to encircle him.
"Boom!"
A massive foot stomped down, smashing through trees, glowing faintly green. Xiao Chen left an afterimage in his original spot and barely dodged. The giant foot slammed into the ground, cracking the earth and shaking the nearby forest.
Then several enormous arms swept toward him, radiating dazzling green light—the natural force of the tree-men flowing through limbs like forged steel. With a thunderous crash, they sheared off a row of great trees, almost burying Xiao Chen under the debris.
Six giant hands reached for him together. Cold sweat broke out on Xiao Chen's back. He shifted positions continuously, his body seeming to burn as brilliant light burst forth—like leaping divine flames. He left a trail of afterimages through the forest, evading the colossal tree-men.
The cultivators watching from hiding were all stunned. The tree-men were truly terrifying.
"Xiao Chen, let me see how you escape now!" The Royal Celestial Maiden stood on a tree-man's shoulder, a faint smile blooming on her pure countenance, making the wildflowers of the mountain forest pale in comparison.
A giant's green arm blazed with light. Its enormous hand swept aside everything in its path, smashing through seven or eight great trees before finally cutting off Xiao Chen's retreat. He had nowhere left to run.
"Boom!"
The cyan-green palm—taller than half of Xiao Chen's body—smashed down with savage force. Unable to evade, Xiao Chen had no choice but to push his power to the limit and accept the blow.
His hands moved in rapid, mysterious mudras, forming secret seals one after another. Amid brilliant radiance, a starry diagram appeared before him, like an ancient, mysterious shield to block the giant palm's deadly strike.
The emerald-green palm, dazzlingly bright, crashed down onto the starry diagram. The light curtain before Xiao Chen shattered. One by one, the stars dimmed. Xiao Chen was sent flying by the tremendous force, crashing through tree after tree—each impact punctuated by the splintering of ancient timber. His body blazed with unbearable light as he broke through more than a dozen towering trees before tumbling into broken branches and withered leaves.
Now he understood Kaeo's pain. He had battered Kaeo just like this. He had not thought that so soon he would experience the same torment himself.
"Boom!"
A giant foot stomped down beside him. If he had not rolled quickly enough, he would have been crushed into paste. Xiao Chen sprang up, his body erupting in a blaze of radiance. With no way to flee, he had to trade blows with the tree-men.
But the tree-men were not merely huge. They could wield the power of nature. Every collision burst with blinding green light. Xiao Chen felt as if he were slamming into a mountain; each impact sent agonizing pain through his entire body.
Even though his life essence blazed, having condensed into substantial divine flames that burned around him, he still could not withstand the tree-men's relentless assaults. They were simply too massive.
Xiao Chen was thrown again and again through the forest, snapping one row of trees after another. Against such colossal beings, he felt helpless.
Ahead, a river wound through the primeval forest. Xiao Chen saw hope. He exchanged several more blows with the tree-men, then fought desperately toward the river.
"Stop him! Quick, block him!" Zhao Lin'er shouted urgently.
The forest was too dense. Though the river was wide, its current was gentle, with no sound of flowing water—so it had gone unnoticed until now. That broad river was Xiao Chen's lifeline. Without hesitation, he leaped in with a splash, leaving a few ripples on the surface before vanishing.
Things never go as planned. Zhao Lin'er felt a surge of frustration. Victory had been within reach, yet at the final moment it slipped through her fingers.
She wanted to pursue along the river, but when she saw the surrounding terrain, she dared not let the tree-men go further. Unknowingly, they had reached the border of the Tyrant Dragon's territory. That was a savage king! Not just three tree-men—even several times that number would be torn apart in an instant.
The Tyrant Dragon was one of the most ferocious royal clans among the dragons, a dragon breed said to rival the gods!
After nearly half an hour, the water roiled and Xiao Chen surfaced. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. The eight- or nine-meter-tall tree-men possessed boundless strength, and he had been badly injured.
During that half hour, he had not fled along the river. He had swum upstream for several dozen meters after entering, then lain still in the water all that time.
He struggled onto the riverbank, staggered a dozen paces, then fell to the ground with a thud. He lay back in the grass, drawing deep breaths of fresh air.
Suddenly, he sensed danger. Someone was watching from the shadows. Xiao Chen stood up at once. His vigorous life essence surged like divine fire, the blinding light instantly drying his clothes. He seemed to be clad in a suit of divine armor, as vigorous as a dragon.
He understood clearly: more cultivators had landed on Dragon Island. Many must have witnessed the cyan tree-men chasing him. Now some nearby might want to strike, hoping to eliminate a powerful rival.
He had no choice but to release his formidable aura as a warning.
Indeed, the sense of stalking danger seemed to diminish. But someone still watched. He could feel cold, viper-like gazes fixed on him from the mountain forest behind. Some seemed convinced he was badly wounded and saw this as a golden chance to kill him.
On Dragon Island now, the strong lived and the weak died—a brutal rule.
Xiao Chen withdrew the dazzling light around him; otherwise, experts would think he was putting up a front. He walked at a measured pace toward the Tyrant Dragon's territory. Sure enough, someone followed. The killing intent drew nearer, as if a powerful expert had locked onto him.
The danger grew closer. The hidden figure was about to strike. This was definitely a strong opponent, and the coming attack would likely be thunderous.
Xiao Chen frowned. His body was in terrible condition. Being battered by cyan giants eight or nine meters tall would break even a body of diamond. If he had to fight another great battle now, it would be a nightmare.
"Roar..."
A tiger's roar rang out. Ahead, three familiar figures appeared—King Qin Guang, King Yanluo, and King Samsara tore apart a giant tiger blocking their path. They transformed into three streaks of white light, charging toward him.
At that moment, those three white skeletons looked like angels in Xiao Chen's eyes. They could not have come at a better time!
The dangerous presence that had locked onto Xiao Chen hesitated, then quickly withdrew.
If not for the three skeletons' timely arrival, it would not have been a false alarm. Xiao Chen finally relaxed completely. But he could not stay here. Together with the three skeletons, he followed the river toward the Tyrant Dragon's territory ahead.
To reach the Death Swamp, he had to pass through this region—the domain of a brutal tyrant. Ordinary cultivators dared not approach.
After penetrating two li deeper, Xiao Chen no longer feared attacks from savage beasts or cultivators sneaking up on him. The only threat left was the possible appearance of the Tyrant Dragon.
Finding a safe, secluded spot, Xiao Chen collapsed into the grass. He was utterly exhausted, every inch of his body screaming in pain.
For a full half hour, he did not move. He silently circulated his profound art, healing his injuries and restoring his vitality. Rippling light like water flowed around him, covering his body.
Finally, Xiao Chen allowed himself to be served by the three skeletons. King Qin Guang, King Yanluo, and King Samsara carried him and sped through the forest, heading for the swamp.
A few cultivators witnessed this bizarre scene. Those unfamiliar with undead creatures felt a chill run down their spines—three white skeletons carrying a man as they ran...
Some tried to follow, but the distance was great, and the primeval forest too dense. The skeletons vanished after a few bounds.
Although Xiao Chen was being carried by the three skeletons, he remained alert to his surroundings. As they neared the swamp, he spotted a tiny, furry creature.
Some beings stand out even in a crowd, drawing all eyes. The same rule applied to animals. A little ball of fluff, like an immaculate snowball, exuded an indescribable aura of intelligence.
It looked a little like a tiger cub, a little like a lion cub, and a little like a kitten—but far more beautiful than any of them. Its fluffy white fur was soft and smooth, spotless, gleaming like silk with a pearlescent luster.
It was no more than half a chi long but brimming with spirit. Its large eyes, bright as black gems, contrasted sharply with its white body. Each blink was quick and lively, full of intelligence.
At that moment, it was curled up on the ground, looking pitifully at Xiao Chen with its bright eyes. One little white paw was resting near its mouth, as if it were sucking on it—like a hungry child.
Xiao Chen had no idea what kind of creature this was, but it was definitely a highly intelligent little being. The feeling it gave was utterly unique. Though it appeared to be an adorable little beast, it overflowed with spirituality, like a tiny sprite.
Fortunately, Xiao Chen was a man. If he had been a woman, he might have rushed over to hug it. This spiritual little creature was simply too cute.
"Ya-ya..." The sounds it made were nothing like a beast's cry. They resembled a baby babbling. It kept "ya-ya-ing" as it looked at him with a pitiful expression.
Although Xiao Chen's will was iron, his heart was subtly touched. He decided to find the little creature some food and perhaps keep it by his side for a while.
But at that moment, the three skeletons suddenly acted as if they had seen a ghost. Before Xiao Chen could understand what was happening, they all let go at once. With a thud, he crashed straight to the ground.
Caught completely off guard, Xiao Chen landed hard, several sharp stones digging into his back. He jumped up in pain, and at that moment he felt like dismantling the three skeletons.
King Qin Guang, King Yanluo, and King Samsara, meanwhile, fled frantically into the swamp. Separating, they each plunged stiffly into a pile of bones and lay motionless, playing dead.
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