“ mǔ b jiǎng rù xiū luó ！ mén de rén zú xiū shí yǔ yāo guǐ jiā zài yì qǐ ， zú yǒu shù bǎi xiōng duō mǔ b huài tǎo xiàng gāng gāng nà yàng yī chuán sòng chū qù jiù xiá lù xiāng yù de què jǐn yǒu jǐ gè 。
“姆b讲入修罗！门的人族修十与妖鬼加在一起，足有数百凶多母b坏讨像刚刚那样一传送出去就狭路相遇的却仅有几个。
"Speak of the devil," Lin Xuan muttered. The number of human cultivators and demons or ghosts who encountered each other by chance on the Path of Devouring Souls was only a few, not every transmission would result in such encounters.
dàn yě bú shì měi yī cì dōu yào pīn gè nǐ sǐ wǒ huó ， zhǐ yào shuāng fāng xiū wèi chà bu duō hái shì néng gòu xiāng ān wú shì de 。
但也不是每一次都要拼个你死我活，只要双方修为差不多还是能够相安无事的。
But it wasn't that they always had to fight to the death; as long as their cultivation levels were roughly equal, they could coexist peacefully. After all, there weren't any precious treasures for them to compete over, so who would willingly risk life and limb?
bì jìng yòu méi yǒu zhòng bǎo kě gōng zhēng duó ， zài méi yǒu jué duì bǎ wò de qián tí xià shuí yòu yuàn yì jué shèng fù ” fēn shēng sǐ ne ？
毕竟又没有重宝可供争夺，在没有绝对把握的前提下谁又愿意决胜负”分生死呢？
However, those who encountered prohibitions or demons fell to their deaths in droves.
dǎo shì nà xiē yù jiàn jìn zhì de xiū shì huò zhě yāo guǐ ， yī xià jiù yǔn luò le shù shí 。
倒是那些遇见禁制的修士或者妖鬼，一下就陨落了数十。
The cave that Lin Xuan had encountered without traps was dotted with transmission points nearby. Who could resist the temptation of ancient cultivator ruins?
lín xuān suǒ yù de nà zhǒng méi yǒu xiàn jǐng de dòng fǔ ， zài chuán sòng diǎn fù jìn yǒu xǔ duō ” shuí yòu néng gòu rěn zhù gǔ xiū yí zhǐ de yòu huò 。
林轩所遇的那种没有陷阱的洞府，在传送点附近有许多”谁又能够忍住古修遗址的诱惑。
Though the prohibitions in these caves weren't as formidable as those on the Path of Devouring Souls, they were still dangerous enough. Lin Xuan couldn't help but feel a bit nervous.
jǐn guǎn tā men suǒ jìn qù de dòng fǔ ， jìn zhì yuǎn méi yǒu lín xuān yù jiàn de kě bù ， dàn pǔ tōng de yuán yīng jí cún zài ， yí dàn bèi kùn zhù ， shí yǒu bā jiǔ dōu hěn nán táo tuō 。
尽管他们所进去的洞府，禁制远没有林轩遇见的可怖，但普通的元婴级存在，一旦被困住，十有八九都很难逃脱。
Suddenly, a green snake straightened up and was enveloped by a swirling wind. After a moment, the wind dissipated, revealing a woman standing in front of the bamboo grove. She had a slender figure and an attractive appearance, though her cheeks were covered with scales as large as fingernails, making her look both strange and beautiful.
lí hé dǎo shì bù jù ” dàn méi yǒu ná dào yù tǒng yī lèi de dōng xī ， fǎn ér bái bái xiāo hào le xǔ duō fǎ lì ， bù yóu de zài xīn zhōng dà tàn huì qì 。
离合倒是不惧”但没有拿到玉筒一类的东西，反而白白消耗了许多法力，不由得在心中大叹晦气。
The snake-woman sized up the bamboo grove cautiously. Her cultivation was only mid-stage transformation, so her spiritual sense couldn't compare to Lin Xuan's. However, demons had a naturally acute sense of perception; she felt something wasn't right about the bamboo grove but couldn't pinpoint why.
duì yú qí tā rén de zāo yù rú hé ， lín xuān bìng bù qīng chǔ ， tā zhǐ xī wàng jiě jiě píng ān wú shì 。
对于其他人的遭遇如何，林轩并不清楚，他只希望姐姐平安无事。
She could detour, but other areas might also be dangerous. The snake-woman hesitated for a moment before a look of determination appeared on her face. With a flick of her hand, a magical weapon resembling a flying leaf dart shot out.
bù guò xiū luó zhī mén suī rán wēi xiǎn biàn bù ， dàn mèng rú yān bì jìng shì lí hé zhōng qī de xiū xiān zhě ， zhǐ yào bù yù jiàn shén me tài dà de biàn gù ” zì bǎo yīng gāi hái shì méi yǒu wèn tí de 。
不过修罗之门虽然危险遍布，但梦如嫣毕竟是离合中期的修仙者，只要不遇见什么太大的变故”自保应该还是没有问题的。
The whistling sound of the sword cut down several green bamboo stalks, but nothing unusual happened. The snake-woman was puzzled; had she misjudged her senses?
nǎo hǎi zhōng rú cǐ xiǎng zhe ， lín xuān xiǎo xīn yì yì de xiàng qián fēi qù 。
脑海中如此想着，林轩小心翼翼的向前飞去。
But she didn't act rashly. After all, the Path of Devouring Souls was notorious for its dangers, and who would risk their lives needlessly? She reached into her waistband and released a dark light.
bù rù hǔ xué yān dé hǔ zi ， xiǎng yào zhī dào zhè shǒu zhōng de dì tú shì zhēn shì jiǎ ， wéi yǒu qīn shēn yī shì 。
不入虎穴焉得虎子，想要知道这手中的地图是真是假，唯有亲身一试。
A huge toad appeared before her eyes. Lin Xuan was surprised; wasn't a toad prey for snakes?
lín xuān shén shí quán kāi ， yī lù shàng dào yě méi yǒu yù jiàn shén me qiāng xiǎn 。
林轩神识全开，一路上倒也没有遇见什么羌险。
This demon had raised it as a spirit beast, truly innovative!
yòu fēi le yuē yī zhǎn chá de gōng fu 。 lín xuān tū rán méi shāo yī dòng ， dùn guāng sà rán tíng xià lái le 。
又飞了约一盏茶的功夫。林轩突然眉梢一动，遁光飒然停下来了。
The toad was enormous, even larger than a tiger by several sizes, weighing around six or seven hundred pounds and being a third-stage demon.
yī piàn zhú lín yìng rù le yǎn lián zhōng ， biǎo miàn shàng kàn ， bìng méi yǒu shén me chū qí 。 bù guò lín xuān kě shì lí hé qī ， ér qiě shén shí yǔ tóng jiē xiū shì xiāng bǐ ， hái yào qiáng shàng xǔ duō ， qiě jīng shàn zhèn fǎ zhī shù ， yǐn yǐn biàn kàn chū le bù tuǒ 。
一片竹林映入了眼帘中，表面上看，并没有什么出奇。不过林轩可是离合期，而且神识与同阶修士相比，还要强上许多，且精擅阵法之术，隐隐便看出了不妥。
Despite its size, the snake-woman seemed fearful. "Go," she pointed at the front. The toad hesitated but eventually entered the bamboo grove.
sì hū yǒu yī céng huàn zhèn jiāng zhè zhú lín bāo guǒ 。
似乎有一层幻阵将这竹林包裹。
Though clumsy, it moved quickly. In just a few breaths, it had ventured several hundred feet into the grove without any issues.
suī rán lǐ miàn yǒu shén me wēi xiǎn lín xuān yě bù xiǎo de ， dàn jì rán kàn chū le bù tuǒ ， dāng rán bú huì shǎ hū hū de wǎng lǐ miàn chuǎng le 。
虽然里面有什么危险林轩也不晓得，但既然看出了不妥，当然不会傻乎乎的往里面闯了。
The snake-woman sighed in relief; her earlier suspicions were unfounded. A layer of demon fog rose and transformed back into its original form as a large green snake, slithering into the bamboo grove.
lín xuān yǐ shǒu fǔ é ， nǎo hǎi zhōng niàn tou zhuǎn guò ， rán ér hái wèi xiǎng chū shén me liáng cè 。 tū rán méi shāo yī dòng ， shēn xíng yī shǎn ， jiù xiāo shī dé wú yǐng wú zōng ， shèn zhì lián qì xī yě biàn dé ruò yǒu ruò wú 。
林轩以手抚额，脑海中念头转过，然而还未想出什么良策。突然眉梢一动，身形一闪，就消失得无影无踪，甚至连气息也变得若有若无。
Unbeknownst to this demon, Lin Xuan had never strayed far. His Concealment Art was so subtle that she couldn't detect his presence.
lín xuān shī zhǎn qǐ le yǐn nì zhī shù 。
林轩施展起了隐匿之术。
With someone scouting ahead, Lin Xuan felt elated. He knew he shouldn't be careless in such a dangerous place.
jǐn jǐn guò le yī xiǎo huì er gōng fu ， shā shā shā de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， cóng yuǎn chù jìng rán pá lái le yī gè dà shé ， xī de shēn tǐ bǐ shuǐ tǒng hái cū ， xíng dòng què jí wéi xùn sù 。
仅仅过了一小会儿功夫，沙沙沙的声音传入耳朵，从远处竟然爬来了一各大蛇，牺的身体比水桶还粗，行动却极为迅速。
A thunderous roar echoed through the air, shaking the ground. The snake-woman's face showed sheer terror as the surroundings transformed into a monster's gaping maw filled with rows of white fangs.
tōng tǐ bì lǜ ” cháng zú yǒu qī zhàng yú ， suī zhǐ shì yī gè shé ” dàn kàn nà qì shì ， sì hū bǐ jiāo lóng yě bù xùn sè 。
通体碧绿”长足有七丈余，虽只是一各蛇”但看那气势，似乎比蛟龙也不逊色。
The snake-woman was terrified; her body was several dozen feet long but seemed like a tiny worm compared to this monster.
huà xíng qī yāo zú 。
化形期妖族。
Lin Xuan watched from behind the bamboo grove, seeing everything clearly. The so-called bamboo grove was actually the monster's head. It opened its blood-red mouth and used illusions to blend into the surroundings, making it easy prey for any passing animals.
duǒ zài àn chù de lín xuān liǎn shàng liú lù chū yī sī chà yì zhī sè ， zhòng suǒ zhōu zhī ， yāo zú dào le sì jí 。 yě jiù shì huà xíng qī ， dōu néng kāi qǐ líng zhì ， qiě tùn qù yāo shēn ， biàn huà chéng rén xíng 。
躲在暗处的林轩脸上流露出一丝诧异之色，众所周知，妖族到了四级。也就是化形期，都能开启灵智，且褪去妖身，变化成人形。
This monstrous crocodile was over a thousand feet long, its presence overwhelming even Lin Xuan.
zhè gè shé què hái yǐ běn tǐ bìng dòng ， zhe shí lìng rén yǒu xiē chà yì 。
这各蛇却还以本体并动，着实令人有些诧异。
Ancient beast!
zhè ge niàn tou shàng wèi zhuǎn guò ， nà qīng shé què zhí lì qǐ lái 。 yī céng xuán fēng jiāng xī bāo guǒ zài lǐ miàn 。
这个念头尚未转过，那青蛇却直立起来。一层旋风将牺包裹在里面。
Lin Xuan's eyes widened; he had seen ancient beasts before but never one this massive. It must have lived for countless eons, perhaps since the dawn of time.
shǎo qǐng zhī hòu ” xuán fēng xiāo shī ， yī míng nǚ zǐ què chū xiàn zài le shì xiàn lǐ 。
少顷之后”旋风消失，一名女子却出现在了视线里。
Realizing this, Lin Xuan grew more cautious. The longer it lived and absorbed the spirit energy from Penglai Mountain, the harder it would be to deal with.
shēn cái xiū cháng ” dào yě pǒ yǒu jǐ fēn zī sè ， zhǐ shì liǎng biān liǎn jiá shàng ， dōu bù mǎn le zhǐ jiǎ gài dà xiǎo de shé lín ， yāo yì ér měi lì 。
身材修长”倒也颇有几分姿色，只是两边脸颊上，都布满了指甲盖大小的蛇鳞，妖异而美丽。
Should he retreat?
shé yāo xiàn shēn jiǎ hòu ， jiù miàn dài jǐng tì zhī sè de dǎ liàng shēn qián de zhú lín ， xī yī qū qū huà xíng zhōng qī de yāo zú ， shén shí yǔ lín xuān xiāng bǐ 。 dāng rán shì chà le shí wàn bā qiān lǐ 。
蛇妖现身甲后，就面带警惕之色的打量身前的竹林，牺一区区化形中期的妖族，神识与林轩相比。当然是差了十万八千里。
But were there no dangers elsewhere?
dàn yāo zú yǔ rén lèi bù tóng ， tiān shēng líng shí jiù mǐn ruì wú bǐ ” tā gǎn dào zhè zhú lín yǒu xiē bù tuǒ ， dàn yòu shuō bù qīng chǔ wèi shén me 。
但妖族与人类不同，天生灵识就敏锐无比”她感到这竹林有些不妥，但又说不清楚为什么。
The ancient beast was terrifying in its presence but in plain sight. Unknown dangers could be even more perilous.
dāng rán 。 yě kě yǐ rào xíng ， dàn qí tā dì fāng ， wèi bì jiù méi yǒu wēi xiǎn ， yī shí jiān ， zhè shé jīng yóu yù le qǐ lái 。
当然。也可以绕行，但其他地方，未必就没有危险，一时间，这蛇精犹豫了起来。
Moreover... Lin Xuan had entered the Path of Devouring Souls not just for treasures, but this ancient crocodile's internal organ was undoubtedly valuable, far beyond that of a mid-stage transformation demon.
piàn guā hòu ， tā liǎn shàng lì sè yī xiǎn ， yù shǒu yī fú ， yī fǎng fú liǔ yè fēi dāo bān de fǎ bǎo fēi lüè ér chū 。
片刮后，她脸上厉色一显，玉手一拂，一仿佛柳叶飞刀般的法宝飞掠而出。
With his mind made up, Lin Xuan's expression became resolute. He needed to verify if the map in the Jade Scroll was real or fake; he had no choice but to pass through here.
chī chī chī de pò kōng shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ ， yī lù shàng kǎn dào le shí yú kē lǜ zhú ， què sī háo yì xiàng yě wú 。
嗤嗤嗤的破空声传入耳朵，一路上砍倒了十余颗绿竹，却丝毫异象也无。
The ancient beast wouldn't allow him to leave after swallowing the snake-woman. Its eyes gleamed with satisfaction at its meal. However, as it turned to Lin Xuan, its gaze became increasingly greedy.
shé jīng bù yóu de yǒu xiē yí huò ， nán dào shì zì jǐ líng jué chū cuò ？
蛇精不由得有些疑惑，难道是自己灵觉出错？
Though Lin Xuan's small frame wasn't enough to satisfy it, an ancient beast lived for so long that it couldn't be judged by ordinary beasts' logic. What the crocodile craved was not just a bit of flesh but the immense spiritual energy contained within this tiny body.
bù guò cǐ yāo yī jiù méi yǒu qīng jǔ wàng dòng ， bì jìng xiū luó zhī mén de xiōng míng shí zài tài shèng le ， shuí yòu yuàn yì ná zì jǐ de xiǎo mìng kāi wán xiào ne ？
不过此妖依旧没有轻举妄动，毕竟修罗之门的凶名实在太盛了，谁又愿意拿自己的小命开玩笑呢？
This was irresistible.
lüè yī chóu chú ， tā shēn shǒu zài yāo jiān yī pāi ， yī dào wū guāng fēi shè chū lái 。
略一踌躇，她伸手在腰间一拍，一道乌光飞射出来。
Gulp!
yī zhī jù dà de chán shuān yìng rù yǎn lián 。
一只巨大的蟾栓映入眼帘。
The ancient beast swallowed hard, its voice as loud as thunder. Though its mind hadn't fully awakened, it wasn't an ordinary beast either. It sensed that dealing with this "prey" wouldn't be easy.
lín xuān yě bù yóu de yǒu xiē jīng è ， sēn há ma bú shì shé de shí wù me ？
林轩也不由得有些惊愕，森蛤蟆不是蛇的食物么？
Lin Xuan flicked his sleeves and released dozens of sword qi, which expanded in the wind to several dozen feet long each. Since a peaceful resolution was impossible, he decided to strike first.
zhè wèi jū rán yǎng lái dāng líng shòu ， hái zhēn shì yǒu gòu xīn yǐng bié zhì de 。
这位居然养来当灵兽，还真是有够新颖别致的。
Though the ancient crocodile's body was immense, Lin Xuan had faced similar creatures before. A thousand feet wasn't much; the mountain monster from Xue Ming Sect was even larger.
nà chán xú tǐ xíng jí dà ， jí shǐ yǔ lǎo hǔ xiāng bǐ ， dōu hái yào dà shàng yī quān de yàng zi ， zú yǒu liù 、 qī bǎi jīn zhòng ， nǎi shì sān jiē yāo zú 。
那蟾徐体型极大，即使与老虎相比，都还要大上一圈的样子，足有六、七百斤重，乃是三阶妖族。
Size didn't matter, but this one seemed more formidable.
rán ér miàn duì tǐ xíng jiāo xiǎo de shé nǚ ， què xiǎn de wèi jù yǐ jí 。
然而面对体型娇小的蛇女，却显得畏惧以极。
"Go!"
“ qù 。。”
“去。。”
Lin Xuan pointed at the front. The sword qi turned and slashed forward like a rainbow.
shé jīng chōng qián miàn yì diǎn zhǐ ， chán tú suī yǒu xiē bù yuàn yì ， dàn hái shì yī tiào yī tiào de jìn rù dào le zhú lín lǐ 。
蛇精冲前面一点指，蟾涂虽有些不愿意，但还是一跳一跳的进入到了竹林里。
Pang! Pang! Pang!
bié kàn xī yǒu xiē bèn zhuō ” xíng dòng què shì jí kuài de ， bù guò jǐ xī de gōng fu ， jiù shēn rù bǎi zhàng zhī yuǎn le 。
别看牺有些笨拙”行动却是极快的，不过几息的功夫，就深入百丈之远了。
The ancient crocodile's roar echoed as it failed to dodge, being struck by the sword beams. Its limbs and head were all within range.
què ān rán wú yàng ， gēn běn jiù méi yǒu fā shēng shén me yì zhuàng 。
却安然无恙，根本就没有发生什么异状。
But it was useless; its body was covered in thick scales that were impenetrable despite their dull appearance. Dozens of sword beams slashed at it but caused no damage, leaving Lin Xuan surprised.
shé nǚ sōng le kǒu qì ， kàn lái xiān qián shì zì jǐ tài duō yí ， yī céng yāo wù yǒng qǐ ， yòu huán yuán chéng le nà tiáo jù dà de qīng shé ， cuàn jìn le zhú lín lǐ 。
蛇女松了口气，看来先前是自己太多疑，一层妖雾涌起，又还原成了那条巨大的青蛇，窜进了竹林里。
Though he didn't expect a few dozen sword qi to be decisive, the crocodile's scales were too hard.
cǐ yāo bìng bù qīng chǔ ， tā gāng jìn rù zhú lín zhī zhōng ， bù yuǎn chù de kōng qì rú shuǐ bō bān huàng dòng ， lín xuān de shēn yǐng fú xiàn ér chū 。
此妖并不清楚，她刚进入竹林之中，不远处的空气如水波般晃动，林轩的身影浮现而出。
A failed attack wouldn't deter the giant crocodile. It opened its blood-red mouth and shot out a beam of light.
tā cóng lái jiù méi yǒu zǒu yuǎn ， zhǐ bù guò shuāng fāng xiū wèi bú shì yí gè děng jí ， lín jǐng de liǎn qì shù yòu shén miào wú bǐ ， tā zì rán fā xiàn bù liǎo lín xuān de zōng jì 。
他从来就没有走远，只不过双方修为不是一个等级，林井的敛气术又神妙无比，她自然发现不了林轩的踪迹。
The sky was instantly dyed red as the beam was over several dozen feet wide and moved so fast that even Lin Xuan's Nine Heavens Step couldn't evade it.
yǒu rén tàn lù ” lín xuān zì rán xīn zhōng huān xǐ ， zài zhè xiū luó zhī mén yào ， lián tā yě bù gǎn yǒu ，，g！ rì b3，， rén yòu yuē u3 chè dān de qīng xīn dà yì xí “ mǔ liú lín xuān mò mò de zhù shì ， hún shēn de fǎ lì què yǐ rán tí qǐ 。
有人探路”林轩自然心中欢喜，在这修罗之门要，连他也不敢有，，g！日b3，，人又曰u3撤郸的轻心大意习“姆馏林轩默默的注视，浑身的法力却已然提起。
But with his rich experience in combat, Lin Xuan remained calm. A layer of light enveloped him, and just in time, he activated his Nine Heavens Spirit Shield.
hǒu ！
吼！
With a loud bang, the beam struck the shield, sending Lin Xuan flying.
yī shēng jīng tiān dòng dì de dà jiào chuán rù ěr duǒ ， dòng rén xīn pò ， zhěng gè dà dì ， fǎng fú dōu zài zhè hǒu jiào shēng zhōng měng rán chàn dǒu 。
一声惊天动地的大叫传入耳朵，动人心魄，整个大地，仿佛都在这吼叫声中猛然颤抖。
However, the defense held, and Lin Xuan's face brightened as he thought deeply. He didn't have time to slowly wear down this monster; it was now or never.
shé jīng de liǎn shàng mǎn shì jīng kǒng zhī sè ， sì zhōu de jǐng wù quán biàn le ” nǎ lǐ hái yǒu shù lín ， tā fēn míng jiù zài yī guài shòu de xuè pén dà kǒu lǐ 。
蛇精的脸上满是惊恐之色，四周的景物全变了”哪里还有树林，她分明就在一怪兽的血盆大口里。
A flash of white light revealed Mo'er beside him. Together, they would quickly eliminate this giant beast.
sì zhōu quán shì bái sēn sēn de yá chǐ 。 lìng rén xīn jì 。
四周全是白森森的牙齿。令人心悸。
Lin Xuan continued his fight with renewed vigor, determined to verify the map in the Jade Scroll and pass through here no matter what.
"Speak of the devil," Lin Xuan muttered. The number of human cultivators and demons or ghosts who encountered each other by chance on the Path of Devouring Souls was only a few, not every transmission would result in such encounters.
But it wasn't that they always had to fight to the death; as long as their cultivation levels were roughly equal, they could coexist peacefully. After all, there weren't any precious treasures for them to compete over, so who would willingly risk life and limb?
However, those who encountered prohibitions or demons fell to their deaths in droves.
The cave that Lin Xuan had encountered without traps was dotted with transmission points nearby. Who could resist the temptation of ancient cultivator ruins?
Though the prohibitions in these caves weren't as formidable as those on the Path of Devouring Souls, they were still dangerous enough. Lin Xuan couldn't help but feel a bit nervous.
Suddenly, a green snake straightened up and was enveloped by a swirling wind. After a moment, the wind dissipated, revealing a woman standing in front of the bamboo grove. She had a slender figure and an attractive appearance, though her cheeks were covered with scales as large as fingernails, making her look both strange and beautiful.
The snake-woman sized up the bamboo grove cautiously. Her cultivation was only mid-stage transformation, so her spiritual sense couldn't compare to Lin Xuan's. However, demons had a naturally acute sense of perception; she felt something wasn't right about the bamboo grove but couldn't pinpoint why.
She could detour, but other areas might also be dangerous. The snake-woman hesitated for a moment before a look of determination appeared on her face. With a flick of her hand, a magical weapon resembling a flying leaf dart shot out.
The whistling sound of the sword cut down several green bamboo stalks, but nothing unusual happened. The snake-woman was puzzled; had she misjudged her senses?
But she didn't act rashly. After all, the Path of Devouring Souls was notorious for its dangers, and who would risk their lives needlessly? She reached into her waistband and released a dark light.
A huge toad appeared before her eyes. Lin Xuan was surprised; wasn't a toad prey for snakes?
This demon had raised it as a spirit beast, truly innovative!
The toad was enormous, even larger than a tiger by several sizes, weighing around six or seven hundred pounds and being a third-stage demon.
Despite its size, the snake-woman seemed fearful. "Go," she pointed at the front. The toad hesitated but eventually entered the bamboo grove.
Though clumsy, it moved quickly. In just a few breaths, it had ventured several hundred feet into the grove without any issues.
The snake-woman sighed in relief; her earlier suspicions were unfounded. A layer of demon fog rose and transformed back into its original form as a large green snake, slithering into the bamboo grove.
Unbeknownst to this demon, Lin Xuan had never strayed far. His Concealment Art was so subtle that she couldn't detect his presence.
With someone scouting ahead, Lin Xuan felt elated. He knew he shouldn't be careless in such a dangerous place.
A thunderous roar echoed through the air, shaking the ground. The snake-woman's face showed sheer terror as the surroundings transformed into a monster's gaping maw filled with rows of white fangs.
The snake-woman was terrified; her body was several dozen feet long but seemed like a tiny worm compared to this monster.
Lin Xuan watched from behind the bamboo grove, seeing everything clearly. The so-called bamboo grove was actually the monster's head. It opened its blood-red mouth and used illusions to blend into the surroundings, making it easy prey for any passing animals.
This monstrous crocodile was over a thousand feet long, its presence overwhelming even Lin Xuan.
Ancient beast!
Lin Xuan's eyes widened; he had seen ancient beasts before but never one this massive. It must have lived for countless eons, perhaps since the dawn of time.
Realizing this, Lin Xuan grew more cautious. The longer it lived and absorbed the spirit energy from Penglai Mountain, the harder it would be to deal with.
Should he retreat?
But were there no dangers elsewhere?
The ancient beast was terrifying in its presence but in plain sight. Unknown dangers could be even more perilous.
Moreover... Lin Xuan had entered the Path of Devouring Souls not just for treasures, but this ancient crocodile's internal organ was undoubtedly valuable, far beyond that of a mid-stage transformation demon.
With his mind made up, Lin Xuan's expression became resolute. He needed to verify if the map in the Jade Scroll was real or fake; he had no choice but to pass through here.
The ancient beast wouldn't allow him to leave after swallowing the snake-woman. Its eyes gleamed with satisfaction at its meal. However, as it turned to Lin Xuan, its gaze became increasingly greedy.
Though Lin Xuan's small frame wasn't enough to satisfy it, an ancient beast lived for so long that it couldn't be judged by ordinary beasts' logic. What the crocodile craved was not just a bit of flesh but the immense spiritual energy contained within this tiny body.
This was irresistible.
Gulp!
The ancient beast swallowed hard, its voice as loud as thunder. Though its mind hadn't fully awakened, it wasn't an ordinary beast either. It sensed that dealing with this "prey" wouldn't be easy.
Lin Xuan flicked his sleeves and released dozens of sword qi, which expanded in the wind to several dozen feet long each. Since a peaceful resolution was impossible, he decided to strike first.
Though the ancient crocodile's body was immense, Lin Xuan had faced similar creatures before. A thousand feet wasn't much; the mountain monster from Xue Ming Sect was even larger.
Size didn't matter, but this one seemed more formidable.
"Go!"
Lin Xuan pointed at the front. The sword qi turned and slashed forward like a rainbow.
Pang! Pang! Pang!
The ancient crocodile's roar echoed as it failed to dodge, being struck by the sword beams. Its limbs and head were all within range.
But it was useless; its body was covered in thick scales that were impenetrable despite their dull appearance. Dozens of sword beams slashed at it but caused no damage, leaving Lin Xuan surprised.
Though he didn't expect a few dozen sword qi to be decisive, the crocodile's scales were too hard.
A failed attack wouldn't deter the giant crocodile. It opened its blood-red mouth and shot out a beam of light.
The sky was instantly dyed red as the beam was over several dozen feet wide and moved so fast that even Lin Xuan's Nine Heavens Step couldn't evade it.
But with his rich experience in combat, Lin Xuan remained calm. A layer of light enveloped him, and just in time, he activated his Nine Heavens Spirit Shield.
With a loud bang, the beam struck the shield, sending Lin Xuan flying.
However, the defense held, and Lin Xuan's face brightened as he thought deeply. He didn't have time to slowly wear down this monster; it was now or never.
A flash of white light revealed Mo'er beside him. Together, they would quickly eliminate this giant beast.
Lin Xuan continued his fight with renewed vigor, determined to verify the map in the Jade Scroll and pass through here no matter what.