Chapter 762: Wood Demon

"I also believe this is the ruin of the Zhenhai Sect. Zhenhai Sect was once among the top ten sects in the South Sea, though it later declined and fell from that rank. Still, it was far more powerful than any minor sect. I heard that the Sun Moon Palace attacked Zhenhai Sect, but suffered heavy casualties and gained little treasure. There must be a significant amount of wealth inside, including, at the very least, spirit herbs over a thousand years old."

"The cultivator who breached the restriction either stumbled upon these ruins and forced their way in to seek treasure, or they are a descendant of the Zhenhai Sect entering to retrieve treasures. However, the significant commotion suggests it was an accidental discovery rather than an intentional return by a descendant."

The blue-robed elder nodded and commanded, "Qingli, Huangman, return to the clan and inform them to dispatch more experts. Whether this is an unknown secret realm or the Zhenhai Sect ruins, its appearance in the Ten Thousand Demon Sea means it belongs to us."

"Yes, Ninth Elder," the two Core Formation stage demon beasts replied. They then transformed into streaks of light and vanished into the seabed.

The blue-robed elder's form flickered, reappearing in front of the blue light gate.

With a shake of his sleeve, two blue snakes, roughly a foot long, flew out and darted directly towards the blue light gate.

The blue light gate seemed insubstantial, as the two blue snakes passed straight through it without vanishing.

It appeared the blue light gate was merely an illusion, not a physical object.

"It seems to be a spatial restriction, requiring a space-type treasure to traverse."

As he spoke, the blue-robed elder retrieved a jade ruyi scepter, approximately a foot long, with a lifelike phoenix carved into its tip.

The jade ruyi scepter suddenly surged with light. With a clear cry, it transformed into a massive white phoenix, which spread its wings and flew before the blue light gate.

Dazzling white light abruptly emanated from the white phoenix's body. As this light touched the blue light gate, ripples spread across its surface, and a fist-sized opening slowly appeared, which then steadily widened.

The blue-robed elder nodded in satisfaction. With a single gesture toward the white phoenix, it reverted to its jade ruyi form and settled into his hand.

"Red Eagle, you and the others enter first."

Three Core Formation stage demon beasts transformed into streaks of light and flew through the opening. There was no unusual reaction. Only after all the Core Formation cultivators had entered did the blue-robed elder follow.

A golden streak of light emerged on the sea's surface, revealing three men—Jin Lang and his companions.

"This is the place. It appears the Zhenhai Sect ruins are most likely located here."

A burly, middle-aged man spoke with some excitement, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

When the Sun Moon Palace annihilated the Zhenhai Sect years ago, they acquired little treasure, only a portion of its territory.

Jin Lang frowned and turned to look in a certain direction. A yellow and a blue streak of light appeared on the horizon, rapidly flying towards them.

Soon after, the two streaks of light halted, revealing a tall man in yellow robes and a stout, round-faced man. Both possessed cultivation at the seventh level of the Core Formation stage.

"I was wondering who it could be! It's the Bloodfiend Duo."

Jin Lang's tone remained calm, betraying no anger.

The Bloodfiend Duo were biological brothers who began as rogue cultivators. They had fought their way to the Core Formation stage, defeating many powerful enemies, and were exceptionally strong.

"Ah, seniors from the Sun Moon Palace, our apologies."

The man in yellow spoke with a polite smile, showing no hint of fear.

Working together, they could contend with Nascent Soul cultivators, so they naturally held no fear of Jin Lang's group of four.

The Bloodfiend Duo were renowned Core Formation rogue cultivators in the South Sea cultivation world. Unless substantial benefits were involved, the Sun Moon Palace was reluctant to needlessly provoke powerful rogue cultivators.

"This is not your place to be. You should leave immediately," Jin Lang stated with an indifferent expression.

The yellow-robed man's eyes shifted, and he replied with a smile, "Seniors, please don't misunderstand. We have no other intentions; we simply observed an unusual phenomenon and came to investigate."

After speaking, the two men flew back the way they came, surprisingly departing obediently.

"Master, should we pursue and eliminate them? Otherwise, they might return."

Jin Lang pondered for a moment, then shook his head and replied, "Leave them. The commotion caused by the Zhenhai Sect remnants breaking the restriction was too great. Not only they, but others would have noticed it too. We are too few to stop everyone. Let's enter and seek treasure first. Once Senior Sister Song rendezvous with us, we can eliminate anyone we encounter."

After speaking, Jin Lang summoned a blue command flag. It transformed into a blue water curtain, enveloping the three of them, and under its cover, they quickly descended to the seabed.

A short while later, they arrived before the blue light gate.

Jin Lang released a yellow shark, about ten feet long, which swam towards the blue light gate. The shark passed directly through the gate without vanishing.

"A spatial restriction!"

Jin Lang's brows furrowed deeply. He was only at the second level of the Nascent Soul stage and possessed no space-type treasures. Forcing an entry might cause the gateway to collapse.

"Master, what should we do? It's a spatial restriction!"

"Guard this spot and prevent others from entering. We'll wait for Senior Sister Song to rendezvous with us."

Inside the Zhenhai Sect ruins, there was a valley shrouded in a thick expanse of yellow mist.

Wang Changsheng stood outside the valley, his brow slightly furrowed, with the Dual-Pupil Rat concealed behind him.

He had previously slain a third-tier demon python and acquired two five-hundred-year-old spirit herbs. The Dual-Pupil Rat was highly excited, indicating that the valley likely contained even older spirit herbs, though it would also harbor more formidable demon beasts.

A restriction within the valley prevented his divine sense from penetrating.

With a flick of his sleeve, two metallic spheres flew out, transforming into two small dog-like puppet beasts that charged into the valley.

Shortly after, two booming sounds echoed, and Wang Changsheng lost connection with the puppet beasts, suggesting they had been destroyed.

A loud thunderous roar erupted as countless blue electric arcs shimmered across his body. A blue lightning orb, the size of a water vat, shot forth from him and aggressively struck the valley.

A resounding boom echoed, and a dazzling blue lightning glow illuminated the valley.

After a significant pause, no demon beasts emerged from the valley.

A flicker of surprise crossed Wang Changsheng's eyes. After a moment's thought, he raised both hands, and more blue lightning orbs shot from him, aggressively striking the valley.

Under such a concentrated barrage, surely some demon beasts would emerge!

Booming sounds persisted, and the lightning glow intensified, dispelling most of the yellow mist. Wang Changsheng could clearly see the valley was covered in green thorns. Large quantities of these green thorns also climbed the stone walls on both sides, while the two small dog puppet beasts lay shattered on the ground.

"Could there be no demon beasts?" Wang Changsheng mused, puzzled.

His gaze fell upon the green thorns. With a flick of his right hand, a cluster of black flames, the Profound Nether Black Lotus Flame, materialized in his palm.

With a flick of his wrist, a cluster of black flames shot forth, landing on the green thorns and igniting furiously, the blaze rapidly spreading.

Initially, there was no abnormality, but as the flames expanded, the thorns on the ground began to writhe violently.

"It is indeed a wood demon!"

Just as wild beasts can evolve into demon beasts by constantly absorbing spiritual energy, plants can also cultivate into spirits after prolonged absorption of the world's spiritual energy. Highly cultivated wood demons can even assume human form.

Of course, wood demons capable of transforming into human form are exceedingly rare, practically one in ten thousand.

Typically, wood demons can move, manipulate plants to attack adversaries, or cast certain spells.

Wang Changsheng's gaze settled on the thorns covering the stone walls on both sides, a hint of confusion appearing in his eyes.

It is far more difficult for plants to achieve sentience than for wild beasts to evolve into demon beasts. Thorns, being common and inconspicuous in forests, are even harder to cultivate into spirits. Naturally occurring spirit trees, however, find it relatively easier to achieve sentience.

The green thorns swayed violently, and their flowers released a large expanse of yellow mist, seemingly attempting to extinguish the flames.