Chapter 956: Rush of Ten Years

A mass of golden creatures, like an oppressive cloud, descended, making it hard to breathe. These were countless insects, each no more than three inches long and winged. The ear-piercing buzz of their wings, like metal plates scraping together, made one's teeth ache.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Chu Feng's sword energy surged like a rainbow. It was a Sacred Artifact captured from an exotic land, now pulsing with golden light like blazing flames, as he slaughtered the bizarre insects.

The insects were incredibly dense, with over fifty percent of them at the Golden Body level. As they dive-bombed, how could any ordinary person possibly withstand such an assault?

As Chu Feng wielded his sword, countless insects shattered and rained down. Even coming in swarms and all being at the Golden Body level, these insects could not withstand a Saint's attack.

Before long, the area was covered in piles of insect corpses; there were simply too many.

He could slay many with a single strike, but the sheer volume of the insect swarm was overwhelming, as they surged endlessly from the great canyon like golden clouds.

They resembled silkworms, but their entire bodies were golden, each with golden wings on its back. What was most terrifying, however, were their sharp, gleaming teeth when they opened their mouths.

Thwack, thwack, thwack! Near Chu Feng and his companions, some insects dive-bombed, piercing through the durable and enduring rocks in the forbidden zone. They gnawed them into powder, leaving the ground riddled with holes.

It was terrifying to witness how these tiny insects, with just a single assault, could make a mountain disappear and create an abyss in the ground.

Chu Feng gasped, realizing that the so-called great canyon insect nest was likely carved out by these very insects, not a natural formation. He wondered, did they dare to cause such havoc within the forbidden zone?

"Little Vermilion Bird, quickly, eat the insects!" Chu Feng shouted.

The Little Vermilion Bird, engrossed in battling the golden flying insects filling the sky, puffed up indignantly at his words. It glared with its ruby-like eyes, wanting to turn around and peck him!

After Chu Feng unleashed his power, countless golden flying insects turned to ash in the brilliant sword light. However, they remained incredibly dense, still obscuring the sky as they surged towards him.

"Are these insects endless?" Chu Feng frowned.

The Little Vermilion Bird replied, "These are Secret Realm Flying Silkworms, relatively common ones. But since no one has entered for tens of thousands of years, there's been no attrition, so their numbers must be infinite."

The so-called Secret Realm Flying Silkworms grow in the secret realms within forbidden zones.

Within this First Forbidden Zone, what appears to be an ordinary valley or a single mountain peak might actually be a self-contained world, vast and boundless, containing its own universe.

Normally, these places are very dangerous, with inexplicable creatures residing within, hidden from view. It's only when someone intrudes into the forbidden zone that the secret realms fully open, allowing these creatures to indulge their bloodlust.

These flying silkworms have appeared in history; they eat and devour everything—from rocks to vegetation, to soil. They are incredibly ferocious, seemingly capable of devouring the entire world.

Clang! As Chu Feng swung his sword, golden light specks flew at him, striking the blade and sending sparks flying. Saint-level insects had appeared; this was very bad.

No wonder the Stone Fox had said that once one reached the Saint level, they would have a chance to venture into the forbidden zone. This also implicitly told him that the weakest threats here would be Saint-level.

"Come to my side!" Chu Feng shouted to the Little Vermilion Bird, fearing it might be in danger. He didn't know how many Saint-level insects there were, and if they also appeared in overwhelming numbers, not only would the Little Vermilion Bird be gnawed to bones, but even he wouldn't be able to escape.

Clang, clang, clang! In an instant, Chu Feng faced dozens of fierce attacks. Eight Saint-level insects appeared; their wing beats were terrifyingly loud, causing pain even in one's soul, as they emitted strange shockwave energy.

Chu Feng furiously fought back, slicing one Saint-level insect in half and impaling another onto his sword, its sacred blood flowing.

Buzz! At the same time, he vibrated the pair of sword wings that had manifested from his ribs, sweeping away the surrounding dangers. His sword light flowed like water, and amidst piercing sounds, in addition to countless ordinary flying silkworms being killed, three more Saint-level insects were also slain.

"Hmm?" Chu Feng was surprised. After encountering the Saint-level insects and using his unique art, he found that the divine particles he absorbed were much denser than before, and there was also more Dao Ancestor material.

This astonished him, and he then unleashed a furious assault, engaging in intense battle here.

Buzz, buzz, buzz! Later in the battle, more than twenty Saint-level golden silkworms circled and flew around him. Chu Feng, in a moment of carelessness, had his shoulder gnawed into a bloody hole, and his arm was nearly pierced through, almost putting him in grave danger.

"How can there be so many?" Chu Feng was wary, his heart chilling, because these flying silkworms were endless, surging out of the great canyon like a tide.

Most of them were at the Golden Body level; this was no ordinary fighting force and completely defied the evolutionary reality of any species. How much resource consumption would this require?

"They grow by eating divine remains, or soil mixed with divine remains," the Little Vermilion Bird informed him.

Chu Feng's expression changed upon hearing this. He already knew that countless deities had perished here since ancient times, their remains absorbed by the forbidden zone.

These flying silkworms dared to eat divine corpses; weren't they afraid of being entangled by bizarre substances? He was awe-struck; these flying silkworms were truly extraordinary.

However, when he considered that this was the First Forbidden Zone, he felt relieved. The creatures born here were certainly special, and there were even rumors that whoever could leave alive would gain new life and be free from the threat of the grey mist.

It seemed, then, that the First Forbidden Zone held a method for resolution!

"Hmm?" Suddenly, Chu Feng felt a chill. While he was absorbing a large number of divine particles, he also felt a sense of unease: a trace of grey mist, in addition to the divine particles, was entering his body.

"The creatures here contain more divine particles, but also a stronger concentration of bizarre substances in their bodies!"

Chu Feng fought for three days and three nights straight, covered in blood. He was on the verge of collapse, nauseated by the sight of insects, and several times he wanted to hide in the stone box, but he persevered.

Because, according to the Little Vermilion Bird, if he couldn't even pass the first trial, there would be no point in venturing further into the forbidden zone; death would be certain.

It wasn't until the fourth day that, with his body covered in wounds and surrounded by a sea of insect corpses, the world finally quieted down. No more insects flew out from the secret realm within the great canyon.

He had killed dozens of Saint-level insects alone. If this news reached ordinary people, they would be dumbfounded, asking, "Dozens of Saints dead?"

During this period, Chu Feng had tried to capture some insects to examine their soul light. He discovered that their spiritual bodies were very special, containing runes of order and emanating killing intent, yet they lacked autonomous consciousness.

"These are just biological tools?" He felt a chill run from head to toe. Rather than being living creatures, they were more like countless killing tools created through some inexplicable and terrifying means, definitely not normal beings.

The Little Vermilion Bird looked at him worriedly, its crystal-like eyes pure but tinged with unease. It quietly reminded Chu Feng that practicing the Minor Six Paths Time Art would lead to endless troubles.

In fact, even the legendary, supposedly perfect Six Paths Time Art might have hidden dangers in its cultivation, according to the Crippled Heavenly Venerate. This remained unproven for now.

"Let's go." Chu Feng didn't mind. Since he had already considered it and made his decision, and even left himself a retreat, there was nothing to regret or hesitate about.

"Hmm?" Suddenly, he turned around, sensing some movement in the direction they had come from. He took the Little Vermilion Bird and rushed up a tall mountain, opening his Fiery Golden Eyes to gaze back.

"Someone is lurking outside. They look like descendants of the gods from the Fierce Beast Plateau," Chu Feng said calmly.

He had dealt with these people before, having killed some of them during his past century of cultivation.

"They found this place; it seems they already know my mother has passed away." The Little Vermilion Bird looked saddened and very emotional. Its mother was dead, and its siblings had gone to the Yang Realm, their fate unknown.

"Life goes on, and the path must be walked. What's the point of thinking so much?" Chu Feng said, deliberately downplaying it to help it shake off that emotion.

"They're coming to kill us!" the Little Vermilion Bird said.

Outside the forbidden zone, those people were observing the terrain and touching the bloodstains on the ground. Chu Feng had killed a descendant of the Martial God not long ago, leaving traces.

"There's an Illumination-level figure!" Chu Feng's expression turned serious.

He absolutely couldn't go out now, trapped here with no retreat. He had no choice but to push forward, rapidly growing stronger, forcing himself to quickly evolve.

"Little Wu is dead. The Little Vermilion Bird from the Vermilion Bird race found a helper, or did it kill him itself? This isn't simple."

Outside the forbidden zone, these people, ranging from youth to middle age, all possessed extraordinary bearing and indeed hailed from the Fierce Beast Plateau, descendants of deities.

These people had recently been near the abyss, clashing many times with opponents from the Divine Beast faction. They were also eager to slaughter the last heir of the Vermilion Bird race.

The Old Vermilion Bird's slaughter of deities was a deep-seated hatred for these people, with extremely negative implications.

"If it doesn't come out, it will surely die inside. But if it gives up halfway and escapes, leave it to me. I need a maidservant with divine blood." A blue-haired young man said with a sunny smile.

"This time, don't contend with me. I need a caged bird to present to the Lord God," another white-haired young man said.

A middle-aged man, his golden hair gleaming, said nothing. He suddenly hurled a short spear, and with a thunderous boom, it tore open the void, directly flying into the forbidden zone.

They dared not venture deep into this ancient demonic land. The bloody lessons of their ancestors filled them with dread. For countless ages, so many deities had died here, and now no one regarded this place as a land of resurrection; no one could truly be reborn here.

The short spear was utterly terrifying, wreathed in dazzling light, piercing through everything. After the void shattered, a torrent of energy surged and plunged into the forbidden zone.

"Quick, let's go!" Chu Feng was horrified, his scalp tingling. The moment his opponent raised his hand, Chu Feng knew the attack was aimed at them. He took the Little Vermilion Bird and surged deeper into the forbidden zone, vanishing from the mountain peak.

No sooner had they stepped away than the short spear descended, causing the mountain to explode!

The mountain peak vanished, and energy raged wildly!

For an Illumination-level cultivator, let alone a mountain peak, even a star would be pulverized if struck; nothing could stop it.

However, the situation here was unique: only one mountain peak shattered, and as the energy continued to spread, it was blocked by the light of runes rising from the ground.

As expected of a forbidden zone, it was incredibly difficult to destroy, even for an Illumination-level cultivator.

After all, such mountain peaks were countless and boundless here. Although it was within an underground world, it was indistinguishable from the surface, bathed in peaceful radiance with magnificent mountains and rivers.

Chu Feng spat out a mouthful of blood. Although he and the Little Vermilion Bird had narrowly avoided the main impact, he still suffered a slight shock. Illumination-level cultivators were too terrifying, far surpassing Saints.

His face was slightly pale. With a *crack*, he reset his dislocated arm. Many wounds were visible on his back, and his shoulder had nearly exploded.

"Are you… alright?" The Little Vermilion Bird asked, very worried.

"I'm fine. That old man is truly ruthless, daring to recklessly attack the forbidden zone. Isn't he afraid of suffering a calamity?" Chu Feng gritted his teeth. He vowed that once he became an Illumination-level cultivator and broke out, he would flay them alive. What did it matter if they were descendants of gods?

"The edge of the forbidden zone isn't a critical area, so it's generally safe. But if they dare to disturb the deeper parts of the forbidden zone, or special terrains, it will be a dead end," the Little Vermilion Bird explained, urging him to hurry.

However, a special terrain blocked their path ahead, making it troublesome to go around.

Chu Feng fled at extreme speed, but he was still attacked. Another short spear flew over, *boom*, piercing the ground near him, its rampant energy nearly engulfing him.

Chu Feng was sent flying, spitting blood foam. He glanced back at those people, then vanished from the spot with the Little Vermilion Bird.

Chu Feng and his companion encountered great trouble, constantly intercepted by the Illumination-level cultivators' flying spears. They were forced to flee quickly, ending up in an unknown territory.

Streaks of sword light surged forward; these were divine swords, some fragmented and broken, but others completely intact and infinitely powerful.

The void trembled, and great halberds and other weapons shot up from the ground, flying towards them, violently striking at Chu Feng and the Little Vermilion Bird with divine might!

The area was blindingly bright, the atmosphere oppressive, making one feel suffocated, as energy surpassing the Illumination level permeated the air.

Even from a distance, Chu Feng was covered in cracks and bleeding, and the Little Vermilion Bird was wailing, coughing up large mouthfuls of blood.

The sky was filled with intertwining divine rainbows, the energy of deities, their weapons crisscrossing to seal off the mountainous area. The sight was too terrifying.

Chu Feng had no choice. He opened the stone box space, rushed inside with the Little Vermilion Bird, and quickly closed the lid.

Even so, their bodies cracked under the pressure of the divine might, turning completely red with blood. But at least at the crucial moment, the box was closed, isolating their presence.

Chu Feng frowned deeply. This truly was a place of certain death. They weren't even in the deeper parts, yet the outer region was already like this. No wonder the Old Vermilion Bird died at Fallen Phoenix Slope.

"These are weapons left behind by those deities after they died in ancient times. Now, activated by the forbidden zone, they are flying everywhere, killing anything in their path, be it gods or Buddhas!" The Little Vermilion Bird was very nervous.

Clang! Clang! Clang! The stone box came under attack. The divine swords, halberds, spears, and other weapons that had surged forward all struck the stone box, either slashing or piercing it, sending it flying.

Chu Feng and the Little Vermilion Bird tumbled back and forth as the stone box was attacked, rolling and even being flung through the air.

Chu Feng's heart was heavy. This forbidden zone was indeed terrifying. Without the stone box, he would have died, slain by the deities' weapons!

He sighed inwardly, "That crippled fox is such a fraud. This is practically sending me to my death!"

After an unknown amount of time, it finally became quiet.

Chu Feng had the Little Vermilion Bird hide in the stone box, then he cautiously went out to investigate. He didn't perceive any threats.

This was a vast, endless grassland. The divine swords and halberds had somehow sent the stone box hurtling through space to an unknown region. It was astonishing that there was such an immense grassland within the forbidden zone's mountains and rivers; it was truly vast.

This was definitely not the outermost region.

The surroundings were quiet: lush green meadows, grass growing almost waist-high, fresh air, and gentle light. Everything was so beautiful.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, causing all the tall grass to ripple violently, then part to either side as if forming a path. A shiver ran down Chu Feng's spine.

He saw a massive green serpent, five to six meters in diameter, charging from the depths of the great grassland faster than lightning. It opened its gaping maw and lunged at him.

A Saint-level serpent!

Chu Feng swung his sword, fighting with all his might. He slew the great serpent, severing its head, and blood flowed profusely.

Suddenly, he felt a vicious wind assault him, and he instantly darted over ten miles away. Looking up, he saw a silver winged dragon dive-bombing, tearing the earth apart. This was a peak Saint-level being.

At the edge of the horizon, from a forest, a golden tyrannosaur leaped, traversing the sky, directly charging towards them to attack Chu Feng.

"What kind of place is this?" Chu Feng was awe-struck. These fierce beasts were all late-Saint level powerhouses, all incredibly strong.

Then, he began an intense battle that lasted for ten years!

He couldn't escape the vast expanse of grassland and forest, as fierce beasts were everywhere. One after another appeared, and they even ganged up to hunt him.

Throughout these fleeting years, Chu Feng cultivated with the Little Vermilion Bird while slaying enemies. He constantly progressed, rapidly evolving.

When the tenth year concluded, with a *shhhhk*, Chu Feng slew a ten-thousand-foot-tall golden monster. Its blood flowed like a river, staining the grassland red.

He had already reached the apex of the Saint level. The divine particles he had accumulated were long sufficient, and his physical body was no weaker than an Illumination-level cultivator's. What he lacked was merely the final step in comprehending the order of heaven and earth.

He was just one step away from becoming an Illumination-level master!

Even Chu Feng himself was surprised and somewhat scared. Practicing the Minor Six Paths Time Art was too heaven-defying, causing him intense unease.

Each time he slew an enemy, he absorbed not only divine particles and Dao Ancestor material, but also fragments of order. Otherwise, how could he possibly have touched the threshold of the Illumination level?!

No one could make such tremendous progress in just ten years!

It could only be said that the Minor Six Paths Time Art was a shortcut, truly defying the heavens.

"Everything comes with a price. Cultivating so quickly, I don't know how much bizarre substance I've absorbed." Chu Feng's heart turned cold.

But now, there was no turning back!

During this time, the Little Vermilion Bird also evolved, its cultivation steadily increasing, though it did not practice the unique art.

"Finally, we've fought our way out of this meeting point of grassland and forest!" After slaying the golden behemoth, Chu Feng left the area.