Chapter 1016: Trouble

Somewhere in the Ancient Blazefire Forest, Zhou Yuan's figure was concealed in the shadows. His gaze pierced through the branches and leaves towards the distance, where he could see a continuous defense line. Patrol teams, composed of Heavenly Sun Stage experts, constantly moved back and forth, surveying the area. This position was already close to the Five Great Alliances' main base in Chiyun Prefecture.

Here, he could even faintly sense several obscure yet powerful Yuan Qi fluctuations deep within, which likely belonged to the enemy's Nascent Source Stage experts.

However, Zhou Yuan was not worried. He possessed the Shadow Immortal Art, an evasive concealment technique, and more critically, the "Heaven Punisher Sacred Rune." Its half-zhang Domain could completely conceal him, making it difficult even for Nascent Source Stage experts to detect his presence. This held true unless the opposing side had a Law Domain expert present, which was unlikely, as their Law Domain experts were being closely monitored by Senior Sister Xi Jing and her group.

It was because of these advantages that he dared to venture deep alone. His purpose was to ascertain whether Cao Xiao's mention of the "Blazefire Tree King" was true. While the other party might have revealed this information with the intention of luring him to his death, Cao Xiao had clearly underestimated his capabilities.

"Qin Lian and the others must have launched their attack..." Zhou Yuan glanced behind him. He saw large numbers of alliance teams retreating in disarray, a situation that had persisted for a full day. Evidently, extremely fierce battles were erupting on the front lines.

This was likely because Qin Lian and her group had received the news. Regardless of whether the information was true or false, they would launch a full-scale assault to probe, and if there was an opportunity, they would naturally seek to eradicate the alliance's main base in Chiyun Prefecture. "Judging by the speed of their front-line collapse," Zhou Yuan mused, "it won't be long before the Tianyuan Region's battle lines are pushed here." At that point, an earth-shattering war would be inevitable, a conflict that would likely determine the outcome of the Chiyun Prefecture front.

Zhou Yuan smacked his lips. This battlefront had been fought for months without a decisive outcome, yet as soon as he arrived, a major conflict was about to erupt. He truly wondered if his luck was too good or too bad. "I'll wait here for the main army to advance..." Zhou Yuan did not recklessly infiltrate the area immediately. He needed to wait for the main army to arrive and draw attention, as while he possessed self-preservation methods, he couldn't simply disregard the enemy's Nascent Source Stage experts.

With these thoughts in mind, Zhou Yuan's figure merged even more perfectly with the shadows. He then settled in to wait, and three days passed.

During these three days, alliance front-line teams continuously collapsed. However, despite receiving a large number of defeated soldiers, Zhou Yuan noticed that there was no atmosphere of panic within the alliance's main camp. Instead, the defenses became even more stringent. This prompted him to sigh in admiration. It was no wonder the Five Great Alliances could contend with the Tianyuan Region to such an extent; they were indeed not to be underestimated.

As he sighed, Zhou Yuan's expression suddenly shifted. He looked up at the distant sky, where the void was suddenly rippling. Then, piercing sounds of air breaking echoed throughout the heavens and earth as innumerable streaks of light soared across the sky, sweeping towards this direction in an overwhelming tide.

Their numbers were in the thousands, with an even larger army of Divine Dwelling Stage experts following behind. Yi Qianji, Qin Lian, and the others had indeed gathered all of Chiyun Prefecture's forces, attempting to extinguish the Five Great Alliances' deeply entrenched main camp. With the imminent arrival of a great battle, the entire atmosphere was so oppressive it was suffocating.

Facing the overwhelming Tianyuan Region army surging from all directions, countless Genesis Runes intertwined in the void within the alliance's main camp, forming a protective barrier. Inside, countless figures also soared into the sky, confronting them from a distance.

In front of the Tianyuan Region army, Yi Qianji stood at the very front. Behind him were six figures, each surging with obscure yet powerful Yuan Qi fluctuations—these were the other six Nascent Source Stage experts from the Chiyun Prefecture front. Further behind them were numerous Heavenly Sun Stage experts, led by Qin Lian.

Yi Qianji stood in the void, his usually gentle eyes now holding a sharp gaze directed at the massive camp, radiating killing intent. "Haha, Elder Yi Qianji, you arrive radiating killing intent. Are you planning a decisive battle with us directly?" A loud laugh resonated from within the allied forces' main camp. The void rippled, and eight figures emerged. Judging by their Yuan Qi fluctuations, they were clearly all experts who had stepped into the Nascent Source Stage. The speaker was a leading elder in a yellow robe.

Yi Qianji gazed indifferently at the yellow-robed elder and said, "Old Monster Xu Mou, I hear you've found the 'Blazefire Tree King'?" The yellow-robed elder, named Xu Mou, chuckled and replied, "Elder Yi's intelligence is certainly swift..." He was clearly not surprised that Yi Qianji had exposed the matter, as he had never intended to conceal it.

Seeing that Xu Mou did not deny it, Yi Qianji's heart sank slightly. The allied forces had truly found the Blazefire Tree King? That was something even Elder Mu Ni had never managed to achieve. Such a rare treasure, once obtained and properly utilized and developed, would undoubtedly be of great use. This was why, upon receiving this news, he had mobilized the army without hesitation. Once confirmed, a decisive battle had to be launched immediately. Otherwise, the longer they delayed, the more disadvantageous their position would become if the opponent managed to harness the power of the "Blazefire Tree King." Rather than being crushed later, it was better to fight now and seize the "Blazefire Tree King."

"How exactly did you find the Blazefire Tree King? Your five major factions' Law Domain experts probably don't have that capability, do they?" Yi Qianji said with a grim expression. Xu Mou leisurely replied, "That's none of your concern."

He looked at Yi Qianji and the Tianyuan Region army behind him. With a strange smile, he said, "However, Elder Yi Qianji, knowing that we've obtained the 'Blazefire Tree King,' you still dare to launch an all-out attack? Aren't you afraid of walking into a trap?"

"If you truly could utilize the power of the 'Blazefire Tree King,' you would be the ones launching an all-out attack right now," Yi Qianji sneered. Although Yi Qianji did not have deep knowledge of the "Blazefire Tree King," he had heard Elder Mu Ni speak of it: this marvel grew naturally, drawing its vast power from the earth's Yuan Qi. However, it lacked complete sentience, acting purely on instinct to seek fortune and avoid danger. Such a wondrous item, even if obtained, would likely be difficult to use without special means.

Xu Mou paused slightly, then gave a self-deprecating smile, saying, "Haha, Elder Yi Qianji certainly has sharp insight. You're right, the Blazefire Tree King is extremely troublesome. It's incredibly difficult to harness all its power. We've dedicated ourselves to studying it for many days, but we've only managed to develop a portion... I believe this portion should be enough to give you a considerable surprise. Haha, originally we intended to wait a bit longer until this power was more perfected before letting you experience it, but since you're so eager for death, we shall naturally grant your wish..."

As Xu Mou's voice fell, he gently raised his hand. RUMBLE! A rumbling sound emanated from within the continuous camp as a tower-like structure burst forth from the ground, quickly rising. The structure appeared to be forged from crystals, inscribed with countless obscure Genesis Runes.

Under countless astonished gazes, the countless Genesis Runes on the crystal tower suddenly flickered. The next moment, it surprisingly ejected numerous beams of light. However, these light beams were not directed at the Tianyuan Region army, but instead shot directly into Xu Mou and the other individuals, as well as many Heavenly Sun Stage experts.

BOOM! BOOM! The next moment, Yi Qianji grimly sensed that the Yuan Qi within the figures connected by the light beams began to rapidly surge. Xu Mou had previously been defeated by him, but at this moment, Yi Qianji detected a dangerous aura emanating from him.

In a shadow not far away, Zhou Yuan looked up at this scene and let out a soft sigh. He knew that the situation had truly become troublesome...